Everton agree deal to sign 2nd former Arsenal player

Everton have agreed a £4.2m deal for former Arsenal player Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who is entering the final year of his Lyon contract.

Lyon's English midfielder #11 Ainsley Maitland-Niles celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the French Cup football match between CA Pontarlier and Olympique Lyonnais (OL) at the Leo Lagrange Stadium, in Besancon, eastern France, on January 7, 2024. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images) — Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images

Everton have agreed a deal with Lyon to sign former Arsenal player Ainsley Maitland-Niles, with the Merseyside club set to pay £4.2 million for the 29-year-old.

Sky Sports News, via Get French Football News, reports that the two clubs have reached an agreement.

Maitland-Niles is entering the final year of his contract with Lyon, having joined the French club permanently in 2023 after leaving Arsenal.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal lies on the ground as he sets up to defend a free kick during the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park on December 19, 2020 in Liverpool, England. A limited number of fans (2000) are welcomed back to stadiums to watch elite football across England. This was following easing of restrictions on spectators in tiers one and two areas only. (Photo by Peter Powell - — Photo by Peter Powell –

The former England international came through Arsenal’s academy and went on to make 132 senior appearances for the club before bringing his long association with north London to an end.

Eager to nail down a midfield role, since moving to France he has continued to be used in several positions, including midfield and full-back.

This season, Maitland-Niles has made four Champions League qualifying appearances for Lyon, registering an assist in the second leg against Fenerbahce, setting up Malick Fofana in a 2-1 defeat.

Fofana looks set to sign for Sunderland after being briefly linked with Arsenal on Monday, however, at the time of writing, Crystal Palace are trying to hijack the deal.

Everton have also agreed a deal for another former Arsenal player, Folarin Balogun, with Arsenal set to benefit from a sell-on clause attached to that transfer.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Olympique Lyonnais celebrates after Rayan Cherki of Olympique Lyonnais (obscured) scores his team's third goal during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Manchester United and Olympique Lyonnais at Old Trafford on April 17, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) — Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images

Arsenal face another League Cup clash with EFL Trophy
Arsenal’s League Cup clash with Fleetwood Town now has a date, but it’s set to clash with the u21s’ EFL Trophy fixture once again.
Arsenal loanees have busy but disappointing weekend
All of the Arsenal men’s loanees were in action over the weekend, but it was largely a disappointing couple of days of games.
Arsenal youngster picks up injury after senior appearance vs Ipswich Town
Arsenal youngster Marli Salmon has withdrawn from England u18 duty, after picking up an injury.
Ex-ref gives verdict on Declan Rice Brighton red-card incident
Former referee Dermot Gallagher has backed the decision not to send off Declan Rice in Arsenal’s defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion at the weekend.
Declan Rice withdraws from England duty
Declan Rice has become one of five players to withdraw from the England squad due to injury, with the Arsenal midfielder returning to his club.