Barcelona wanted to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Barcelona had enquired about the possibility of signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Arsenal before they secured the services of Sergino Dest.

The 23-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers in August, but the deal fell through after Mikel Arteta blocked his departure.

It has now been revealed by Fabrizio Romano that the Blaugrana were also interested in Maitland-Niles, but Arteta made it clear that the player was not for sale.

Maitland-Niles has previously stated that he prefers to play in either the midfield or the attack, but he has exclusively featured in the wing-back positions under Arteta.

He had fallen completely out-of-favour under the Spaniard at the beginning of the year, but managed to play regularly towards the end of the previous campaign.

In the current season, he has already made three starts in the Premier League. He could have a key role to play from the left wing-back position against Manchester City following the international break.