Another former Arsenal player could make their way back to the Premier League, following Granit Xhaka.
Xhaka is on his way to Sunderland, making a return to England just two years after leaving Arsenal.
The Switzerland international had a glamorous two years at Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso, but now, the midfielder is set to follow his former boss out the door.
Xhaka will return to the Emirates to face Arsenal for the first time in a competitive setting since leaving, and he’s not the only one who could do so next season.
Everton are eyeing Ainsley Maitland-Niles
It’s been reported that Everton are considering a move for Hale End graduate Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
The versatile full-back left Arsenal permanently in 2023, signing for Olympique Lyonnais in the French top flight.
Despite having two years remaining on his contract in France, Mark McAdam has reported that Everton are ‘interested’ in signing the 27-year-old.
The Englishman had an impressive season last term with Lyon, contributing to eight goals in 44 appearances in all competitions, becoming a valued member of Paulo Fonseca’s squad.
With a current market value of £10m, as per Transfermarkt, Everton could get a bargain deal for Maitland-Niles, who could sign for an English club on a permanent basis for the first time after leaving Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta was open about wanting more from Maitland-Niles at Arsenal
There was so much promise surrounding Maitland-Niles as he earned his graduation from the Arsenal academy to the first team.
Though the Englishman was highly rated in N5, Mikel Arteta wasn’t afraid to demand more from the defender.
“He has to be able to convince me every day in training, not once every three months or three days,” Arteta told the media after Arsenal’s Community Shield win over Liverpool in 2020.
Maitland-Niles had a man-of-the-match performance during the contest, prompting Arteta to praise his application behind the scenes.
“He’s showing me at the moment he can do it, and the way he is preparing for every game is much better than it was before. He has changed a lot of things around him to be the player he can be.”
It would be fascinating to see the Hale End product face Arsenal in the Premier League, with Everton hoping to strike a deal.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
