ExWHUemployee: West Ham United eye loan move for Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles
West Ham are considering a number of domestic loan deals and are eying a move for Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles according to ExWHUemployee.
Ex wrote on his Patreon on Wednesday 17 August that the Hammers are targeting a loan move for the 24-year-old.
However, it’s understood that Arsenal are keen to sell Maitland-Niles permanently which could make a move difficult.
Ex also suggested (via Twitter, 17 August) that the Arsenal man is just on of a number of domestic loans that are being considered by West Ham.
Smart move
After a bust window, and a lot of money dished out on transfer fees, it makes sense for David Moyes to look to the loan market to fine-tune his squad.
Maitland-Niles would be a smart piece of business by the Hammers, with the 24-year-old able to add cover in midfield and in the full-back positions.
With centre-back Thilo Kehrer arriving at the London Stadium, a left-back and potentially another central midfielder should be the last two areas for Moyes to target as the window comes to a close.
According to ExWHUemployee (via his Patreon), the Hammers are close to agreeing on a deal for Chelsea left-back Emerson.
If the full-back does finalise his move to the London Stadium, then it will be intriguing to see whether Moyes continues to target a versatile player such as Maitland-Niles, or whether he looks to bring in and out and out midfield option.
Regardless, it promises to be an intriguing and busy couple of weeks at the London Stadium.