Manchester United and Everton are reportedly interested in signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles but they want the 23-year-old to play as a right-back which probably won’t please him.

Part of the problem between Arsenal and Ainsley Maitland-Niles is that he wants to play as a midfielder and the club don’t. He was sent of on loan to West Brom, opting to turn out for Sam Allardyce because he was going to play him in his preferred position.

He’s made 12 Premier League appearances for West Brom, all in midfield.

Before being shipped out, Mikel Arteta had played AMN at left-back, right-back, right midfield, centre midfield and left midfield this season.

With the Baggies relegated and Maitland-Niles’ loan coming to an end, he will return to Arsenal but it looks like that will be just a temporary move ahead of what most expect to be the summer that ends the Hale End graduate’s 17 years at the club.

You would think that if clubs like United and Everton are interested in him that might give the powers that be at Arsenal something to chew over but, alas, the club feel they can get £20m for him so he will likely be sold alongside Eddie Nketiah and others.

Leeds United also retain an interest in Ainsley while Southampton have also been linked.

He will have no shortage of suitors this summer and that should also serve as a warning to Arsenal.

Sadly, those in charge of these decisions have already shown, repeatedly, to be absolutely clueless.

Maitland-Niles turns 24 this summer and has an Arsenal contract until 2023. He is currently valued at around £16.2m.