Wolves close in on £20m Ainsley Maitland-Niles transfer as Arsenal look to cash in on youngster

WOLVES are close to agreeing a £20million deal with Arsenal to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

The versatile 22-year-old played a huge part in the Gunners’ FA Cup final win over Chelsea at Wembley earlier this month.

However despite the fact he still has three years remaining on his current Emirates deal, one of Arsenal’s brightest young talents has made it clear he is interested in a move to Molineux.

Although Maitland-Niles made 32 appearances for the Gunners last season he never felt he was central to Mikel Arteta’s plans and would remain on the periphery if he remains.

Wolves boss Nuno meanwhile can offer him regular game time within his tight first-team squad.

The Portuguese boss prizes players who can play in several positions and Maitland-Niles fits the bill as he is capable of holding down a place in at least three positions.

His main role would be to provide competition for both wing-back berths and, with Spanish international Jonny ruled out for the rest of the year, there is a vacant position on Wolves’ left flank to be filled immediately.

Maitland-Niles can also provide cover and competition for right-wing-back Matt Doherty as well as operating in midfield.

Nuno believes the youngster, who was Arsenal’s second youngest ever Champions’ League player when he made his debut aged 17 against Galatasaray, now has a bright future at Molineux.

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He has offered him a four-year-deal and, despite being with the Gunners’ since he was six-years-old, the former Academy kid is ready to take the plunge by moving to the Midlands.

His arrival will provide more midfield competition for Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho and Leander Dendoncker.

Wolves appear confident a deal can be struck before they return to training on September 1 and have even allowed youngster Morgan Gibbs-White to open talks with Swansea on a season-long loan deal.

The former England youth World Cup winner has struggled to win his first team place back since he risked the wrath of Nuno by breaking Government lockdown rules by attending a house party in London.

Now it looks as if he will be packing his bags, just as Maitland-Niles arrives after making 100 appearances for the North London club.