Arsenal have suffered further embarrassment after Ainsley Maitland-Niles pleaded to be allowed to leave in an extraordinary outburst on social media as he attempts to force through a move to Everton.
The England international, who could become the latest academy product to depart the Emirates before the transfer window closes on Tuesday night, made his feelings clear in a post on Instagram as Arsenal deliberated an offer from Rafa Benítez’s side to take him on loan for the rest of the season. “All I want to do is go where I’m wanted & where I’m going to play @Arsenal,” he wrote.
The 24-year-old made his first Premier League appearance of the season as a substitute during Saturday’s 5-0 defeat at Manchester City, as Mikel Arteta’s side slumped to a third successive loss that left them bottom of the Premier League.
Maitland-Niles, who won all of his five England caps last year while a regular for Arsenal at wing back, spent the second half of last season on loan at West Brom and has two years left on his contract. He is capable of playing in a number of positions but has previously stated his preference is in midfield.
Yet the regular right back, Héctor Bellerín, is being linked to his boyhood club, Barcelona, having made it clear that he wants to leave, and it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will sanction Maitland-Niles’s move to Goodison Park.
Eddie Nketiah could also depart for Crystal Palace as, negotiations continue over a fee for the 22-year-old striker. Arsenal originally wanted £20 million (€23.3 million), with Palace having indicated they are only willing to pay around £12 million (€14 million) for a player whose contract expires next year.
Arsenal have already sold Joe Willock to Newcastle for £22 million (€25.65 million) and Reiss Nelson could be allowed to join Feyenoord on loan as part of the exodus of former youth-team players to free up funds, the club having spent about £130 million (€150 million) on Ben White, Martin Ødegaard, Aaron Ramsdale and Albert Sambi Lokonga this summer. – Guardian
