Southampton are now challenging West Ham for the signing of versatile Arsenal ace Ainsley Maitland-Niles this summer.
That’s according to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook who claims that Southampton are among a few clubs keen to prise the 24-year-old away from Arsenal this summer.
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Maitland-Niles has allegedly already been offered to West Ham.
The Gunners man would undoubtedly have far greater opportunities of regular first-team football at Southampton that he would at West Ham though.
And that could well end up being a huge problem for the Hammers.
In fact, The Daily Telegraph claim that the Saints are actually leading the race to sign Maitland-Niles this summer…
Southampton challenging West Ham for Ainsley Maitland-Niles
talkSPORT’s Alex Crook reckons that the Saints are trying to bring the 24-year-old Arsenal man to St Mary’s this summer.
Hopefully the Hammers manage to fight off competition from Southampton. That may prove to be difficult though.
We think he’d be a great addition for West Ham this summer.
Maitland-Niles earns around £52k-a-week at the Emirates (Spotrac). So agreeing personal terms with the five-capped England international should not be a problem for West Ham.
The Goodmayes born ace has energy, pace, power and athleticism in abundance. He embodies everything that the modern day player needs to succeed.
He would provide stiff competition for Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek in the middle of the park at the London Stadium.
The 24-year-old can play in both full-back positions and in more advanced roles as well.
UEFA have described AMN as a ‘top-class modern midfielder’.
Arsenal could demand around £20 million for Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Daily Mail), and signing him for that kind of fee should be an absolute no-brainer for West Ham, considering how many different roles he can fulfil.
Mikel Arteta is ready to sanction the 24-year-old’s exit from the Emirates this summer (The Express).
So perhaps he could be available for even less than the quoted £20 million fee, who knows.
However, his price may not be the main stumbling block for the Hammers.
Southampton’s interest in Ainsley Maitland-Niles might prove to be extremely problematic for West Ham this summer.
Read other West Ham news:
Report claims club offer £20 million England international to West Ham
Club chief admits West Ham have made a bid to sign his ‘brilliant’ £10 million star
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