---
title: "Virals: Everton target Ainsley Maitland-Niles subject to club U-turn"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/virals-everton-target-ainsley-maitland-niles-subject-to-club-u-turn/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Jones"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2021-08-31T05:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-08-31T05:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: Everton target Ainsley Maitland-Niles subject to club U-turn

Following reports that [Everton](https://readeverton.com/2021/08/30/virals-everton-close-in-on-salomon-rondon-move/) could miss out on a deal for Arsenal utility player Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Paul Joyce of The Times has issued a fresh update on the Gunner’s future.

According to Joyce on Twitter, Maitland-Niles wants to move to Everton – but the club are keen on retaining his services for the season.

> Twitter: Arsenal have said to Maitland-Niles they now want him to stay. Player wants to move to Everton and looking to speak… https://t.co/QtsbURPxas (@\_pauljoyce)

In an additional point of note, the player is speaking to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta about where his future lies for the season.

The intention was that he would be brought in to provide competition for veteran club captain Seamus Coleman at right-back, but a last-ditch change of heart at the Emirates will see the home-grown talent utilised this season.

The two clubs have been trying to negotiate a deal involving a loan move initially with an option to buy afforded to Everton, but there has been no breakthrough in talks.

> Twitter: Everton have made a bid for Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Loan with option. Club would see him adding competition at right-back (@\_pauljoyce)

Maitland-Niles [can play as a right-back,](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ainsley-maitland-niles/profil/spieler/285845) central midfielder and a right-sided midfielder but has only featured once in the league off the bench this season and has made no starts.

He was seemingly a peripheral figure under Arteta, but an abysmal start for Arsenal has seen the Gunners anything but firing strong.

They have conceded nine goals and failed to score, leading them winless and rooted to the bottom of the table after the first three Premier League gameweeks.

### Read Everton Verdict

Everton will have to abandon their pursuit and look elsewhere; there simply is no time to lose with the deadline looming.

The club [remains in talks](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-ainsley-maitland-niles-breaking-21435896) for Rangers youngster Nathan Patterson who could provide an injection of youth at right-back.

> Twitter: Everton have had a second approach for Rangers’ right back Nathan Patterson turned down. https://t.co/QH7RxzkR5E (@\_pauljoyce)