Arsenal are set for a busy end to the summer transfer window. This seems to be more on the outgoing front, but this could still open opportunities to explore the possibility of incomings.
One player that is expected to leave the club is Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The Englishman has experienced loan spells over the last two seasons, and it is now time for the Hale Academy graduate to make his next move whether it is a loan or more preferably a permanent transfer.
A move away looks to be likely as West Ham have reportedly registered interest in the 24-year-old. Edu can use Maitland-Niles as a pawn to explore a potential incoming as the Hammers’ Jarred Bowen is a player who is known to be admired by the Brazilian.
READ MORE: Edu forced into Arsenal's ideal £40m winger deadline amid Callum Hudson-Odoi transfer concerns
According to ExWHUemployee, West Ham are looking at a loan deal with Maitland-Niles. He is emerging as a potential target although Arsenal would rather sell the player which could hinder a deal. The player only has a year left on his contract so he could still be bought for a reduced fee.
Arsenal can use West Ham’s interest to potentially negotiate a transfer for Bowen. CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs told GiveMeSport that the Gunners have "definitely" enquired over a move for Bowen this summer, but were given a clear stance from the Hammers: "With Bowen, West Ham’s stance remains that they really don’t want to sell, so there’s a lot of clubs circling over Bowen, but the challenge, much like Declan Rice, is persuading West Ham to sell during this window and West Ham remain pretty intent not to let him go.
“So, there’s lots of excitement about Bowen moving potentially to a club like Arsenal, but it’s all hypothetical at the moment, because West Ham don’t want to sell. But Arsenal have definitely made an enquiry around Bowen to see what the situation is, but that’s what they’ve been told.”
Mikel Arteta is thought to be on the lookout for a new winger before the window slams shut, and the unsuccessful pursuit of Raphinha has been the strongest hint yet that the club is serious about recruiting one. Considering there hasn't been any movement since suggests that the chance to secure the Brazilian's services was too good to ignore.
Despite that possible explanation, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Edu already has his sights set on another winger, but Arsenal's silent approach is making it difficult to get clarity over who it could be. Arsenal have been linked with a 'mystery winger', which according to Romano, remains a position Edu and Arteta want to address.
According to French news outlet Foot Mercato, OGC Nice want to sign Nicolas Pepe on a loan deal. The report goes on to say that the Ivorian is interested in the idea of a return to Ligue 1 and the Gunners are open to a deal.
Pepe’s departure would further promote the idea of signing a winger before the transfer window slams shut. Edu could use Maitland-Niles in order to negotiate a potential deal for Bowen, who would be the ideal winger signing for the Gunners.
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