Ainsley Maitland-Niles was invited to say his farewells at Arsenal towards the end of the season, as official confirmation of his departure edges closer.

Southampton's English midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles (L) vies with Bournemouth's English defender Lloyd Kelly (R) during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Bournemouth at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on April 27, 2023.(Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton’s English midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles (L) vies with Bournemouth’s English defender Lloyd Kelly (R) during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Bournemouth at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, southern England on April 27, 2023. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Back in April, Arsenal loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles publicly confirmed he’s set to leave the club this summer.

Though the Gunners are yet to officially post about the departure, Maitland-Niles was reportedly invited back to say his goodbyes, according to James McNicholas on the Arsecast.

“Ainsley Maitland-Niles, it’s done,” McNicholas said (via TBR). “I believe he was actually invited to the club to say his farewells towards the end of the season, that was a nice touch for a guy who’s been with us for a very long time.”

We’ll get official confirmation of the departure soon enough, when the Premier League publish all of their retained and released lists.

Last year, the lists were published on June 10th, so it shouldn’t be long now.

Individual clubs can choose to publish their lists sooner if they want to, with Nottingham Forest already having done so, for example. But Arsenal haven’t done so yet.

Southampton's English midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles (L) is tackled by West Ham United's Italian defender Emerson Palmieri (R) during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Southampton at the London Stadium, in London on April 2, 2023.(Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton’s English midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles (L) is tackled by West Ham United’s Italian defender Emerson Palmieri (R) during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Southampton at the London Stadium, in London on April 2, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

In his conversation with The Athletic in April, Maitland-Niles reflected on his time at Arsenal and said: “It’s been a great journey but it has come to an end now (at Arsenal).

“It’s time for a fresh start and to find a new home.”

He also expressed his satisfaction with Southampton, stating: “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.”

At the time, Southampton were very likely to be relegated, but it hadn’t yet been confirmed.

It’s not yet certain how their relegation might have affected the possibility of an extended stay for Maitland-Niles, but reports suggest it hasn’t helped.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 14: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Southampton warms up prior to the Premier League match between Everton FC and Southampton FC at Goodison Park on January 14, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Southampton warms up prior to the Premier League match between Everton FC and Southampton FC at Goodison Park on January 14, 2023. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

It’s nice that Maitland-Niles had the opportunity to say goodbye to Arsenal, after such a long spell with the club, coming up through the academy and into the first team.

Now available on a free transfer, the hope is that he can find a good move ahead of next season.