ARSENAL want £20million fees for Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Eddie Nketiah as Premier League rivals check them out.
Maitland-Niles has been a hit on loan at West Brom, who would love to take him permanently but would struggle to afford it.
The versatile Gunner has emerged as a stand-out in midfield after years of playing other roles and that has alerted other clubs — until they find out the price tag.
Striker Nketiah is stuck on the fringes and may find a new striker coming in ahead of him in the summer.
But his valuation is also sky high and that has made his suitors think twice.
Maitland-Niles, 23, appeared to have made a significant breakthrough last season – making 32 appearances for Mikel Arteta’s men.
These outings included a start in his side’s victorious FA Cup final against Chelsea last August.
An England debut followed, and he looked a decent bet to make Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad after winning his first five caps in the back end of last year.
But things went stale for him in the first half of this season, being handed only five Premier League starts during the Gunners’ first 21 games.
He then moved on loan to West Brom, where he has thrived in a more natural midfield role – so far making ten appearances for the Baggies.
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Nketiah, meanwhile, has also found Premier League minutes hard to come by this season.
But following Alexandre Lacazette’s recent injury, the 21-year-old has been handed a chance to shine, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continues his recovery from malaria.
The academy graduate managed a last-gasp equaliser against Fulham last weekend, but was powerless to prevent his side from sinking to a 1-0 home defeat to Everton on Friday night.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
