{"id":581822,"date":"2021-02-01T10:30:17","date_gmt":"2021-02-01T15:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=581822"},"modified":"2026-01-30T16:29:52","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T21:29:52","slug":"west-bromwich-albion-leading-race-for-ainsley-maitland-niles-signature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/02\/01\/west-bromwich-albion-leading-race-for-ainsley-maitland-niles-signature\/","title":{"rendered":"West Bromwich Albion Leading Race For Ainsley Maitland-Niles Signature"},"content":{"rendered":"

West Bromwich Albion<\/a> are now leading the race to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles<\/a> from Arsenal<\/a> on loan until the end of the season.<\/p>\n

The 23-year-old is in demand this transfer deadline day with some Premier League clubs including Leicester City<\/a> and Southampton<\/a> also chasing his signature.<\/p>\n

West Bromwich Albion Handed Deadline Day Boost with Ainsley Maitland-Niles Deal<\/h2>\n

Ainsley Maitland-Niles in Potential Switch to West Bromwich Albion<\/h3>\n

Arsenal, however, were not willing to negotiate with Leicester as they see the Midlands side as a direct rival and would prefer he joins Southampton.<\/p>\n

According to The Athletic\u2019s David Ornstein<\/a>, the England international is now likely to join West Brom after wanting to play in midfield; which is his preferred position. The young versatile midfielder did not want to move to Southampton as they saw him as cover at full-back<\/a>, which has allowed the door to become open for the Baggies to leapfrog clubs for the signature of Maitland-Niles.<\/p>\n

The Saints are chasing cover for the full-back position after missing out on \u00a0Manchester United<\/a>\u2019s Brandon Williams<\/a> who they had chased all summer.<\/p>\n

Maitland-Niles Prefers to Move to Hawthorns in Search of Game Time<\/h3>\n

Ahead of the European Championships, the 23-year-old is set to opt for the Hawthorns as he believes he will gain valuable game time ahead of the summer competition. He has struggled for game time this season under Mikel Arteta, starting in only five Premier League games. Maitland-Niles is hoping to cement his place in Gareth Southgate\u2019s squad after making his debut last September against Denmark.<\/p>\n

Ainsley Maitland-Niles came close to joining Wolverhampton Wanderers<\/a> in the summer for that reason but for Arsenal to reject a \u00a315 million bid.<\/a><\/p>\n

Sam Allardyce is hoping to conclude a number of deals to boost his side\u2019s chances of escaping the drop as they look to sign Okay Yokuslu<\/a> from Celta Vigo<\/a> on loan until the end of the season. Ahmed Musa<\/a> is currently training with the club with an option to join on a short-term contract.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>