ON-LOAN Saints ace Ainsley Maitland-Niles has confirmed his Arsenal exit this summer, admitting he would be happy to stay at St Mary’s permanently.
The 25 year old – who has been with the Gunners since he was a schoolboy – is out of contract at Emirates Stadium in June.
Versatile defender and midfielder Maitland-Niles made 123 appearances for Arsenal and also had loan spells at West Brom, Roma and Ipswich.
This season, Maitland-Niles has featured 22 times for Saints in all competitions and has played in at least four distinctly different positions on the pitch.
READ MORE: Ranking Southampton's January transfer deals from worst to best
Maitland-Niles has now revealed his future to The Athletic, saying: “It’s been a great journey but it has come to an end now (at Arsenal).
🎙️ Great to speak with an open Ainsley Maitland-Niles today.
— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) March 30, 2023
When I asked if he'd like to stay here, he responded: "Yeah, if the opportunity presents itself, of course."
We also discussed:
🧠 His head space.
🔧 Now 'no preference' of position.
🇮🇹 Winning with Jose.#SaintsFC
“It’s time for a fresh start and to find a new home. I’m looking forward to that but, at the same time, my head’s not quite there yet and it’s all about what’s happening now with Southampton.
“I’m just fully focused on trying to help us stay up and stay positive on a day-to-day basis and win games,” he added.
“When the time gets closer towards the end of the season, I’ll have something else to think about. But right now, I’m just focused on football and the task at hand.
“Southampton is a great club to be at and progress and get some minutes under my belt. Of course, if they were to make an offer, I’ll be more than happy to stay.”
Saints did have the option to buy at the end of his loan this season but with Maitland-Niles now leaving on a free transfer, this becomes invalid.
Maitland-Niles is likely to accept a decrease in weekly wages on his next contract and this would become even more certain in the event of relegation to the Championship.
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