Ainsley Maitland-Niles set for permanent Arsenal exit

Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles will push for a permanent exit from the club when the transfer window reopens.

The 23-year-old came close to joining Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer, but eventually stayed put with the Gunners.

He thereafter struggled for regular game time before he was loaned out to West Bromwich Albion in the January transfer window.

According to The Telegraph, the England international will end his long-term association with the Gunners this summer.

While he prefers to play in the central midfield, he has accepted that his future could lie in the right-back position.

Southampton attempted to sign him in January, but Maitland-Niles rejected them as they only saw him as a right-back.

Ahead of the summer, Wolves, Southampton, Leicester City and Manchester United are keeping tabs on his situation.

The Gunners valued him at around £20m last summer, but they may demand more as he has since earned his maiden cap with England.

Maitland-Niles has over two years left on his Arsenal contract.