Update emerges as Nottingham Forest make approach for 24-y/o

Promoted club Nottingham Forest are still in the early stages of negotiating a deal for Arsenal wing-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles after launching an enquiry for his services, as per a report from Football.London.

The 24-year-old spent the second half of the 2021/22 campaign at Serie A side AS Roma but spend much of his time at the Stadio Olimpico on the bench and isn’t guaranteed to be a regular first-teamer at the Emirates next season either.

With Cedric, Hector Bellerin and Takehiro Tomiyasu all available as options to Mikel Arteta at this stage, he could be deemed surplus to requirements and Forest are one side interested in taking him off the north London side’s hands.

They are currently in need of a first-choice right wing-back with Djed Spence not guaranteed to return to the City Ground this summer amid intense interest from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, with Richie Laryea rarely being used by Steve Cooper since his arrival in January.

Also able to play in the middle of the park, that’s another area where Forest are short of options with Cafu’s future uncertain and James Garner returning to Manchester United last month following the expiration of his loan spell in the East Midlands.

However, the Reds are not yet in advanced talks to recruit Maitland-Niles just yet, with a deal still thought to be in its early stages.

The Verdict:

This is exactly the sort of signing Forest should be making, with the 24-year-old already having top-tier experience under his belt and that could help to complement the likes of Joe Worrall and others who are talented but haven’t plied their trade in the top flight before.

The fact he can play in midfield and at wing-back will give Cooper different options and that can only be a