Leicester aim to blow West Brom out the water to sign 23y/o ace – report
Leicester City have made a late bid to beat West Brom in the race for England international Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to The Mirror.
After Albion drew 2-2 with Fulham at The Hawthorns on Saturday Sam Allardyce spoke to reporters and revealed that he would “love” to sign the 23-year-old but that a deal would be difficult to do.
The likes of Southampton and Newcastle United have been credited with an interest and it looks like there is a new frontrunner for his signature.
The Mirror report that Leicester are preparing a late bid for the Arsenal utility man and “could jump to the head of the queue”.
They say that the Foxes are keen on a loan deal with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season.
With Brendan Rodgers’ side riding high Maitland-Niles might be tempted by making a move to the King Power Stadium to bolster his chances of making the England squad for the rescheduled 2020 European Championships this summer.
Move on Sam
Maitland-Niles was an unused substitute in Arsenal’s 0-0 bore draw with Manchester United on Saturday evening and has not featured in any of their last four games since starting against Crystal Palace on January 14.
He has only started five Premier League games this season and a departure looks imminent as he looks to gain vital game time.
Big Sam might have had some hope in this regard but news that Leicester are now involved might make a move to The Hawthorns more difficult.
Southampton have been linked but would bring Maitland-Niles in as a full-back, something he is less keen on as he eyes his long-term future in midfield.
That begs the question as to just where he would fit in this Albion side.
Clearly he is a very talented player but if he is not replacing Darnell Furlong or Kieran Gibbs as a wing-back then options in the starting XI become a bit more thin.
Robert Snodgrass was brought into the club earlier in January and looks like a sure-fire starter with the likes of Matheus Pereira, Conor Gallagher and new striker Mbaye Diagne.
Maitland-Niles is not an out-and-out defensive midfielder so looks unlikely to play there with the imminent arrival of Okay Yokuslu.
While he would be a valuable addition to the squad it is not a deal that Big Sam should feel to aggrieved at missing out on if the Arsenal man doubles down on his midfield dream.
In other West Brom news, report reveals fee Albion will have to pay to keep Mbaye Diagne permanently.
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