Leicester 'make late bid to sign Arsenal midfielder Maitland-Niles'

Leicester ‘make late bid to rival Southampton and West Brom in race to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ and Arsenal midfielder is keen to team up with Brendan Rodgers as he eyes more game-time to stake a claim for England’s Euro squad

• Ainsley Maitland-Niles said his goodbyes to his Arsenal team-mates on Friday 
• West Brom and Southampton were the sides he was deciding between 
• But now reports suggest Leicester are planning to make a late bid for him 
• Maitland-Niles had made just five top-flight starts for Arsenal this season 

Leicester are planning a late bid to rival Southampton and West Brom for the loan signing of Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to reports.

The 23-year-old, who said his goodbyes to team-mates at the London Colney training ground on Friday, is keen to secure more game-time after making just five starts for Mikel Arteta’s side this season.

West Brom and Southampton were the sides Maitland-Niles was deciding between earlier this week and the player’s desire to secure a midfield role could prove decisive.

Leicester are planning to rival Southampton and West Brom for Ainsley Maitland-Niles

He said his goodbyes to team-mates at the London Colney training ground on Friday

But now according to The Athletic, Leicester are also keen to do a loan deal with the Gunners but are the only side of the trio potentially willing to include a purchase option for the summer.

And the report adds the King Power Stadium would be the versatile midfielder’s preferred destination if he is to depart the Emirates Stadium before the transfer window closes on Monday.

Injuries to Dennis Praet and Wilfred Ndidi and Hamza Choudhury potentially leaving could leave Brendan Rodgers’ men light in midfield, and while Maitland-Niles is said to be an option the same outlet adds it is unclear if their pursuit is currently active, with no talks having taken place between the clubs.

West Brom boss Sam Allardyce (left) and Southampton’s Ralph Hasenhuttl (right) are keen

But now Brendan Rodgers could make a late move following the injury to Wilfried Ndidi

Some reports have suggested Newcastle – who are trying to convince Arsenal to loan them Joe Willock for the rest of the season – have also enquired about his fellow Gunners academy graduate.

Maitland-Niles is desperate to remain a regular member of Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the rearranged Euros this summer, having made his international bow in September against Denmark.

His versatility has seen him more often than not deployed as a full back or wing-back at Arsenal and with England but is now keen to get an extended run in the middle of midfield.

Maitland-Niles had made just five starts for Mikel Arteta’s side so far this season

Any deal with Southampton may entail Ryan Bertrand going in the opposite direction as left-back cover for Kieran Tierney, with the 31-year-old having just six months left on his deal at St Mary’s.

Sam Allardyce meanwhile would be able to offer the Arsenal man a role in central midfield at the Hawthorns.

Maitland-Niles will have two years left on his contract at Arsenal in the summer, having turned down an approach from Wolves in the last transfer window, while Atletico Madrid were also linked.

He is keen to remain a part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the Euros

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