Arsenal transfer round-up as Maitland-Niles attracting top-flight interest

After the signings of Mat Ryan and Martin Odegaard, space is tight in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal squad as the January transfer window edges towards closure.

The arrivals of Ryan and Odegaard from Brighton and Real Madrid respectively means that there is now no room in the Gunners’ Premier League squad for a non-homegrown player.

That puts the onus of departures, with Sead Kolasinac and Mesut Ozil already leaving the Emirates Stadium.

With Arteta securing reliable goalkeeper back-up in Ryan and midfielder creativity in Odegaard, attention now turns to left-back cover and exits for the fringe members of the squad.

The January window closes at 11pm tonight, so here’s the latest Arsenal transfer news.

Gunners receive van Aanholt boost

Arsenal have received a boost in their pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt.

The Mirror reported on Sunday that the Gunners were eyeing a late move for van Aanholt to provide cover for Kieran Tierney at left-back.

The Dutchman’s contract is up in the summer, which means he could be available for a cut-price deal.

And with Mikel Arteta's foreign quota in the Premier League squad filled, any further additions of non-homegrown players would require exits.

But crucially, van Aanholt is homegrown, having joined Chelsea at the age of 17 and living in the UK ever since, excluding a two-year loan stint with Vitesse Arnhem.

Leicester eye Maitland-Niles deal

Leicester City are preparing a late swoop for out of favour Arsenal man Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

The 23-year-old is desperate to leave the Emirates Stadium in the hope he can secure a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this summer’s Euros.

Southampton, West Brom and Newcastle are all reportedly interested in signing Maitland-Niles, but it is Leicester who have moved to the front of the queue, according to the Mirror.

Brendan Rodgers wants to bring in the midfielder on loan until the end of the season with an option to buy, with Maitland-Niles believed to want Arsenal to grant his wish to leave if the right offer is made.

Newcastle moving for Willock

Newcastle United are looking into the possibility of bringing Joe Willock in on loan from Arsenal.

The Daily Mail report that Magpies boss Steve Bruce sees Willock as his number one target as he seeks to add creativity to his midfield.

Willock has seen his playing opportunities limited this season, making only two starts in the Premier League this campaign.

But with Ainsley Maitland-Niles edging closer to a departure, the Gunners are reluctant to let his fellow academy graduate Willock depart the Emirates.

Source: Read Full Article