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Everton to go back for Arsenal man in January

By Matt Townsend

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal is challenged by Ayoub Assal of AFC Wimbledon during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and AFC Wimbledon at Emirates Stadium on September 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal is challenged by Ayoub Assal of AFC Wimbledon during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and AFC Wimbledon at Emirates Stadium on September 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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New reports have emerged claiming Everton will make another move for Arsenal’s utility-man Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the new year transfer window.

As we all remember this was the main story on deadline day just gone when Everton tried in vain to add the Englishman to their squad.

On a frantic final day there were contradictory reports that the player and his club were prepared to consider a move to Goodison Park.

Whatever the truth of things, Maitland-Niles didn’t sign and the Toffees were again left without an alternative to Seamus Coleman at right-back, which was perhaps the club’s most important priority for the transfer window.

Financial constraints prevented the Blues from making the deals they had hoped to in the summer and has left Rafa Benitez with an unbalanced squad again.

This has been exposed by another predictable rash of injury problems in recent weeks that has left Everton badly short of numbers in several positions.

Benitez has been speaking about possible plans for fresh moves in the January window and now with James Rodriguez having left the club, there will in theory be more money available as the club have freed up his wages.

So, it could be that the Toffees will be active in January and that the Arsenal player will be one of those back in their sights?

One of the reasons why Maitland-Niles was allegedly keen for a move on deadline day was a lack of playing time at the Emirates Stadium and so far this season he’s made one start and three substitute appearances.

If he doesn’t get more consistent time on the pitch in the next few months then he might well be ready to consider again a move to another club, perhaps as soon as January.

According to the article quoted above, the Everton boss will be looking for Maitland-Niles to play full-back even though he generally operates in midfield.

His versatility is one of the players strengths and so while he would be playing in defence if he came to Merseyside, he offers another option in midfield too.

I’ve said it many times before and I think most Evertonians would agree but it is a major priority to sort this situation out and get a new full-back option in. It looked as though we would have to wait for next year for a new signing, but if it can be done in January all the better.

What do you think, should Everton try and sign Maitland-Niles again in January or go elsewhere? 

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