Nottingham Forest will make their long-awaited return to the Premier League next season after 23 years away from the top flight, and now they have been linked with a potential transfer target who could be joining the side in their new challenge.
What’s the latest?
According to The Daily Mail, Nottingham Forest are now interested in signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
As per the report, the newly-promoted club are weighing up a potential move for the Arsenal outcast this summer after completing the signing of Taiwo Awoniyi last week.
Cooper would love him
Steve Cooper will be wanting to not only strengthen his team this summer by adding reliable depth to key positions in his squad but will also be looking for players who have Premier League experience, something that Maitland-Niles can offer in spades.
The £48k-per-week gem has 87 appearances in the top flight mostly earned with Arsenal, but also made 15 appearances at West Bromwich Albion whilst on loan with the club, this experience in playing at the highest level could be a huge asset to Forest as they compete in the league next season.
Maitland-Niles will return to North London after a disappointing six-month loan spell at Roma and will now be looking for his next challenge, with hope that he can go to a club that can give him first-team football after making only 12 appearances in Jose Mourinho’s side.
The 24-year-old has been the recipient of high praise from his Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who hailed the midfielder “versatile” and a “huge talent” after an impressive performance against Watford last season before he was sent on loan to the Serie A.
Speaking to the Arsenal club website, Arteta claimed;
“First of all, I see a different player in terms of his urgency, his commitment, the clarity in his play, his purpose.
“He has a huge talent because he’s versatile enough to adapt to almost any position on the pitch. Today we made use of him to do what he had to do in the game, which was really important.”
With that being said, Cooper could unearth a real talent and offer Maitland-Niles the game time he needs to develop and grow as a player at Forest whilst benefiting from adding his Premier League experience into the team next season.
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