Arsenal make surprise transfer decision on Ainsley Maitland-Niles amid Everton interest - report

Arsenal have decided to keep Ainsley Maitland-Niles at the club amid a late loan approach from Everton, The Times’ Paul Joyce reports.

The 24-year-old spent the back end of last season on loan with West Bromwich Albion, and he has yet to start a Premier League game this term.

It was recently reported that the Toffees had opened negotiations with the Gunners over a loan deal with the option to buy next summer.

However, the Gunners seem determined to keep Maitland-Niles, and have now told the England international that he will be staying put.

Maitland-Niles could yet make the switch to Goodison Park. He is set to hold talks with manager Mikel Arteta over his desire to join the Toffees.

Sportslens view:

Maitland-Niles has made over 100 appearances for the Gunners, and the vast majority of his playing time has come from the full-back positions.

He is currently down the pecking order at the club with Cedric Soares and Calum Chambers preferred ahead of him in the right-back spot.

Similarly, Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares are ahead of him for the left-back position.

His chances of playing time are scarce. Maitland-Niles is a midfielder by trade, but he has barely played in the position for the Gunners.

A move to Goodison Park would assure him regular game time at right-back as he could be rotated regularly with Seamus Coleman this term.

The Gunners are blocking his departure at the moment, and it could hint the possibility of other full-backs leaving before the deadline.

Hector Bellerin seems the most likely candidate to leave the club. He has been heavily linked with a return to Barcelona today.

Maitland-Niles has less than two years left on his contract. The Gunners may be eyeing the permanent sale of the England international.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com