Everton are targeting Ainsley Maitland-Niles again after the England international’s exit from Arsenal, according to Football Transfers.
The former Roma and Southampton loanee was a target for the Toffees prior to the January transfer window in 2022 [David Ornstein] but instead made the move to Serie A, before spending last season at St. Mary’s.
The Gunners confirmed his exit at the expiry of his contract on Friday (16 June), and now that he is a free agent Everton are one of a number of sides reportedly “keeping an eye” on him.
Football Transfers reports that the interest comes as planned contract talks with Tom Davies face being unsuccessful if the former Everton academy product rejects an extension in search of more game time.
The 24-year-old’s own deal is set to expire at the end of June and has been offered new terms, yet the “general feeling” is that he will still leave.
One in one out
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Davies’ departure after relatively little match action would be no surprise in itself, but with the transfer budget not thought to be extensive a cheap replacement would likely be needed.
Maitland-Niles, 25, has experience in central midfield but has spent more time on the right flank, or as an auxiliary right-sided wing-back.
His signing could therefore potentially kill two birds with one stone for Sean Dyche, who is targeting new arrivals at full-back after an injury crisis left him short of options to end the season.
If there are a number of teams in for the five-cap former Arsenal man then Everton won’t be able to wait around because free agents can quickly get snapped up.
It appears that the manager would like to keep Davies in place, but if the player is understandably after more game time at his age Dyche may not be able to guarantee that amid a crowded midfield pecking order.
If the Finch Farm graduate is to leave then the decision would be better made sooner rather than later to prevent the club moving onto incoming moves that might not hang around for long.