It is set to be a busy summer for Manchester United as they look to build a squad capable of challenging for next season’s Premier League table.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will inevitably be linked to multiple players this summer and a report in the Mail have reported the club’s interest in Ainsley Maitland-Niles - currently on loan at West Brom from Arsenal.
The 23-year-old first joined the North London club aged six and he made his first-team debut aged 17 years and 102 days in a Champions League match against Galatasaray in 2014.
However, the versatile Maitland-Niles found first-team opportunities at the club limited under current boss Mikel Arteta and subsequently joined the Baggies on a loan deal in the January transfer window.
Capped five times at senior international level for England last year, Maitland-Niles has impressed for Sam Allardyce’s side but was unable to prevent their relegation to the Championship.
He is now set to return to parent club Arsenal this summer and the club may be listening to offers for the player who has helped the team win two FA Cup trophies.
The versatility of Maitland-Niles - being capable of playing multiple positions across defence and midfielder - is what makes him so highly valued, and there are said to be multiple Premier League clubs monitoring his situation.
Everton, Leeds and Southampton are set to rival interest from Old Trafford in the player, the report adds.
It is said that Maitland-Niles has been identified by United as provided competition to first-choice right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka while Everton also believe he could be a long-term replacement for Seamus Coleman in the position.
Southampton and Leeds are said to believe the Gunners player could bolster their options in central midfield and will pursue a move this summer.
With Arsenal set to miss out on European qualification for the first time in 25 years, they will be likely to listen to offers for the player.
