‘100%’ – Ally McCoist wowed by last-ditch West Brom transfer amid worrying Sky Sports update
Ally McCoist has been raving about West Brom after they reportedly agreed a deadline day to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan from Arsenal.
Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett has reported that the 23-year-old is “driving north” to the West Midlands in order to complete a temporary switch to the Albion.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, his medical is already done and it seems the Baggies are close to confirming the deal.
Rangers legend McCoist was asked to share his thoughts on Maitland-Niles’ imminent switch to West Brom on Sky Sports News on Monday [05:17pm].
When asked if he’ll be a good signing, McCoist said: “Oh, 100 per cent. He was man of the match in the FA Cup final, wasn’t he? He’s a player, make no mistake about that. Great talent and has serious hopes of breaking into [Gareth Southgate’s England] squad again.
“He wants to play in the middle of the park, that’s up for debate but that’s where he says he wants to play.
“But what is really interesting, we’ve mentioned the clubs he could’ve had an option to go to like Southampton or Leicester and Newcastle, he’s chosen to go West Brom.
“It tells me, right now, that he’s up for a scrap and he’s up for a fight and he wants to go and play because make no mistake about it, Sam needs people who are going to roll their sleeves up and fight for every point West Brom can possibly get.
“Listen, Maitland-Niles will know that and he’s going to join West Brom so fair play to him. It’s a very courageous move and I hope it works out for him.”
Deal close – but potential hitch?
Maitland-Niles is on his way to the Midlands – but will he definitely sign for West Brom?
According to Dorsett, there is an unnamed Premier League club trying to hijack the deal but still, the Albion are favourites to get the deal done.
Birmingham Mail journalist Joe Chapman reports that West Brom are confident about getting the England international on loan from the Gunners.
It’s concerning because we’ve seen in the past how we can be hijacked over deadline deals. Romelu Lukaku, anyone?
Maitland-Niles should be a top drawer addition if the loan is completed because he can play in numerous positions.
As McCoist said, the fact he wants to join the Baggies says a helluva lot about the 23-year-old because it sounds as though he had options from elsewhere.
He could be a new loanee we all come to love at The Hawthorns.
In other West Brom news, this Ligue 1 club wants to sign an Albion attacker.
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