‘Wouldn’t entirely rule it out’ – Reliable journalist delivers WBA deadline-day update on 23y/o
West Brom are still targeting Ainsley Maitland-Niles according to Birmingham Live journalist Joe Chapman.
The Arsenal youngster has been linked with a loan move to Albion but there are other clubs chasing his signature.
On Sunday it emerged that Leicester City were winning that race, with Southampton also interested.
Sam Allardyce has said that he would love to bring in Maitland-Niles, however, so there is a possibility he could arrive.
Chapman said of the deal, “I wouldn’t entirely rule it out, but Allardyce didn’t sound at all hopeful yesterday.”
Time to back big Sam
West Brom picked up a point at the weekend but wins for Brighton and Newcastle have dampened some spirit around The Hawthorns.
The Athletic report that signing a right-back is Allardyce’s priority, so the board must make Arsenal an offer they cannot refuse.
Signing Maitland-Niles could give us a much-needed boost, both on the pitch and in terms of morale.
Beating Southampton and Leicester to a signing would be encouraging for supporters, and the 23-year-old would give us a new option at full-back and in midfield.
An increased offer could lead to Leicester withdrawing their offer, too, since they have also targeted Watford midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah.
It is worth taking the risk of spending a bit more given the financial rewards of staying in the Premier League.
And we are running out of time to sign an alternative.
Maitland-Niles is a player who would arrive with a point to prove, too, as he has featured just 11 times in the Premier League this term.
He could hit the ground running therefore, starting with our crucial match against Sheffield United this week.
Win that and survival is back on, and signing Maitland-Niles should increase the likelihood of that happening.
In other West Brom news, Kevin Phillips suggests Albion should swoop to sign player capped 27 times by England.