Everton aim to kill two birds with one stone by signing £15 million Premier League player

Everton want Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan

Maitland-Niles is viewed as a utility option who can provide competition to Coleman at right back. The Toffees made a loan bid with an option to buy which has been rejected by the Gunners. In a rather embarrassing turn of events for Arsenal, Maitland-Niles has gone public stating that he wants to go where he gets to play.

Following his public plea, Maitland-Niles had talks with manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu Gaspar who have told him that the 24 year old will stay at Arsenal. However, with 24 hours still to go in the transfer window, things could still change.

Everton have done smart business this summer. Unlike previous windows where splashing cash has been the norm, the club adopted a more prudent approach and so far it’s working wonders. The transfers of Townsend and Gray act as a testament. With the desire to bring Maitland-Niles on loan, Everton are hoping to kill two birds with one stone.

Maitland-Niles adds competition at right back and most importantly offers security. Coleman has been troubled by niggles, forcing him to miss games occasionally, exposing Everton’s lack of depth at right back. Last summer, Mason Holgate deputized in the right back role but the 24 year old was far from sound and comfortable.

Maitland-Niles bolsters the options at right back and provides a different outlet to the Toffees. The 24 year old started his career as a winger possessing pace and dribbling. Opportunities saw him morphed into a central midfielder and even a right wing back. Over the course of time, Maitland-Niles’ versatility to play in the central midfield, as well as a right back, became one of his greatest strengths. The Arsenal man’s work rate is commendable.