---
title: "Everton’s £14.4m target demoted from first-team following blocked transfer to Goodison Park"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/maitland-niles-blocked-transfer/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Sterling"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2021-08-31T10:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-08-31T10:00:00Z"
---

# Everton’s £14.4m target demoted from first-team following blocked transfer to Goodison Park

Yesterday saw Everton attempt to sign English full-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Arsenal.

The club had [submitted a proposal to take Maitland-Niles on loan](https://readeverton.com/2021/08/31/virals-everton-deal-for-ainsley-maitland-niles-unlikely/) for this current season.

However, the London club had turned down the offer much to the player’s public display of frustration.

The 24-year-old [took to social media](https://talksport.com/football/935239/ainsley-maitland-niles-instagram-arsenal-transfer-news-everton/) to vent his feeling’s over Arsenal blocking the move yesterday.

It now appears that Arsenal have taken it a step further, telling him he won’t be training with the first team.

As reported by [The Mirror’s John Cross](https://twitter.com/johncrossmirror/status/1432627779447758848) below, Maitland-Niles looks to now be subject to a harsh punishment…

> After his move to Everton was blocked, Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been told he won’t be training with the Arsenal first team. More [@MirrorFootball](https://twitter.com/MirrorFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — John Cross (@johncrossmirror) [August 31, 2021](https://twitter.com/johncrossmirror/status/1432627779447758848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Everton have been on the lookout for a future replacement for the ageing Seamus Coleman.

The Republic of Ireland international has been a fantastic servant for the Toffees over the last decade.

However, with him now in the latter stages of his career, the club will need to find his heir.

Maitland-Niles had [expressed his desire to play at full-back](https://theathletic.com/news/everton-in-talks-with-arsenal-over-ainsley-maitland-niles-deal/89j30cLymchm) from now after playing a number of positions.

It looked to be the perfect situation for both the player and the club, with Everton [submitting a loan proposal](https://theathletic.com/news/everton-in-talks-with-arsenal-over-ainsley-maitland-niles-deal/89j30cLymchm).

With Arsenal blocking the move and now demoting him from the first team, Maitland-Niles future hangs in the balance.

It is unfair of the Gunners to treat a player in such a way and hopefully the club and player can reach a resolution.

He would be a fantastic addition to the Toffees squad and could flourish under Rafa Benitez.

Hopefully, discussions will be made today and the club can try and reach an agreement with Arsenal.