Ainsley Maitland-Niles recently appointed Aidy Ward as his new agent, reportedly to help secure him a transfer this summer.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 06: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal during a friendly match between Arsenal and Charlton Athletic at Emirates Stadium on June 06, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Ainsley Maitland-Niles during a friendly match on June 06, 2020. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Chris Wheatley of Gooner Talk reports that Ainsley Maitland-Niles has appointed Aidy Ward as his new agent. Wheatley adds that the midfielder’s new representative is ‘expected to secure him a big-money summer move’.

Ward also represents former Gunner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, working for Colossal Sports Management.

Mikel Arteta would reportedly welcome the sale, as the club try to raise funds following the financial hit from the situation with coronavirus. The 22-year-old doesn’t have a clear pathway back into the Arsenal starting lineup, according to the claims.

This update comes a few days after the tabloids claimed Maitland-Niles was up for sale for £20m this summer. The Athletic also wrote that he’s likely to move on permanently, after falling out of favour. Reports from abroad suggest he could leave on loan.

The versatile academy graduate did recently return to the Arsenal team for the friendlies against Brentford and Charlton. He was playing in the midfield position, but we don’t have any evidence he’ll get serious chances there in the competitive fixtures.

For now, of course, he’ll remain with Arteta’s squad and keep pushing for game-time. Whether he wants a move or not, the best thing for him is to get playing again.