TRIO IN HUNT FOR MAITLAND-NILES
SOUTHAMPTON, WEST BROM and NEWCASTLE are in a three-way fight for Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The 23-year-old will be allowed to leave on loan and Southampton are understood to be Arsenal’s preference. However, the player has spoken to all three clubs and he will make a decision overnight. Arsenal have been keen to sign Southampton left back Ryan Bertrand, who is out of contract in the summer. Newcastle have asked about signing Joe Willock from Arsenal if they cannot persuade Maitland-Niles to join them. Manager Steve Bruce is also keen to add Leicester’s Hamza Choudhury if he is allowed out on loan. Brendan Rodgers wants another attacking player first. West Brom manager Sam Allardyce would play Maitland-Niles (below) in his preferred midfield role.
LEICESTER were last night close to agreeing the sale of Demarai Gray to Bayer Leverkusen. Newcastle are awaiting an offer from BOURNEMOUTH for 31-year-old winger Matt Ritchie. West Brom finalised the signing of Galatasaray striker Mbaye Diagne, 29, on loan yesterday and hope to add Celta Vigo’s Turkey midfielder Okay Yokuslu. French side Lorient have asked for Albion’s Cedric Kipre but are falling short on the finances.
MANCHESTER UNITED defender Marcos Rojo will join Boca Juniors this weekend after the clubs agreed a fee for the 30-year-old to end his six years at Old Trafford. Rojo’s team-mate, Uruguayan winger Facundo Pellistri, 19, is joining Deportivo Alaves on loan. However, United are recalling midfielder James Garner from his spell at Watford after limited game time under Xisco Munoz.
ASTON VILLA midfielder Henri Lansbury is joining Bristol City despite interest from Watford. Villa defender Frederic Guilbert is close to moving to Strasbourg on loan.
CELTA VIGO have joined Besiktas and CSKA Moscow in the race to sign EVERTON’S Cenk Tosun. Besiktas is his preference. Everton target Joshua Zirkzee, the Bayern Munich striker, is joining Parma. SOUTHAMPTON defender Jake Vokins, 20, has joined SUNDERLAND on loan. PRESTON defender Darnell Fisher has joined MIDDLESBROUGH. DONCASTER have signed striker Omar Bogle. HUDDERSFIELD have made a £250,000 offer for WALSALL striker Elijah Adebayo. WINDOW SHUTS ON MONDAY AT 11pm