Everton correspondent Tony Scott has been speaking on the latest episode of the All Together Now podcast to discuss the Toffees’ potential January targets.
Rafael Benitez’s side were linked with Ainsley Maitland-Niles during the summer transfer window, but their attempts to acquire the Arsenal ace.
Would Maitland-Niles improve Everton?
Yes
No
However, months on from their initial attempts, the 24-year-old remains in a similar position with the Gunners having only featured for 263 minutes in the league this season (via Transfermarkt).
Over the summer there was a public appeal from Maitland-Niles to push through a move away from the Emirates Stadium, however, he gave his boyhood club another chance which has clearly not proven to pay off.
Discussing the Toffees potential plans for the January transfer window, Scott had the following to say on the potential availability £14.4m-rated Arsenal ace:
(24:00) “There may be loose change so to speak be in terms of trying to get a right-back in and a centre-midfielder, a couple of loans. I mean Ainsley Maitland-Niles hasn’t been playing for Arsenal. We were heavily linked with him. So [I] wouldn’t be surprised if we go back in for him.”
TIF Thoughts on Maitland-Niles to Everton…
We do not think this is a signing which would necessarily excite the fans at Goodison Park given the lack of time he has spent on the pitch over the last few seasons at Arsenal (via Transfermarkt).
However, the likes of Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend may also have been viewed as similarly uninspiring signings in the summer and they have hit the ground running.
Both Townsend and Gray have made impressive starts to life at Everton and if Maitland-Niles could equally impress, then it would certainly improve the Toffees who currently sit slumped in 14th spot.
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