Manchester United have dismissed speculation surrounding Arsenal utility man Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Reports in German media claimed on Wednesday morning that United were close to reaching an agreement with the Gunners for the England international, who can play in either full-back positions or in midfield. It was reported that "the deal and paperwork [was] 80 per cent done", with Maitland-Niles — who was on the brink of a Wolves transfer earlier in the summer — valued at around £20million.
But United sources have told MEN Sport there is nothing in the rumours. Alex Telles of FC Porto is understood to be United's main target in terms of full-backs, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to bring in as many as three players before Monday's transfer deadline (October 5th).
Jadon Sancho is United's priority target, with the club still to reach an agreement with Borussia Dortmund over the 20-year-old.
The MEN revealed earlier this week that United were working on multiple deals before the transfer deadline.
The club have been urged by former captain Gary Neville to strengthen in three-positions, one of which is the left-back slot that Maitland-Niles and Telles can occupy. But it seems the Arsenal man is very unlikely to switch to Old Trafford in the coming days.
Neville said: "It’s appalling that in this market which is probably the easiest in PL history to get transfers done that United haven’t done more yet!
"They must get Ole a centre-back, left-back and forward [sic] pre deadline! The others are managing to get things over the line why not United!"
