Arsenal and Arteta U-turn over rising star leaves Wolves in the lurch

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Arsenal are set to perform a U-turn and strive to retain the services of a man who had been heavily linked with a departure to Wolves.

Wolves signed off on the exit of long-time full-back Matt Doherty to Tottenham on Sunday.

The 28-year-old signed a four-year deal after a bargain fee was agreed for the creative force from full-back.

Wolves were understood to be open to the sale after setting their sights on Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles as like-for-like replacement.

Indeed, an opening offer was made – albeit also rejected – though Wolves retained high hopes of eventually securing the deal.

The transfers of Doherty and Maitland-Niles seemed to be intertwined after a report revealed one would be a determining factor in the other.

However, Maitland-Niles’ has displayed impressive form since the restart, culminating in his man of the match display in Saturday’s Community Shield victory. As a result, Arsenal have reportedly reversed course on their plans to allow the 23-year-old to leave.

Sky Sports state that ‘Wolves’ pursuit looks to be at an end today as they now believe Arsenal want to keep him at the Emirates.’

Arsenal are now said to be ‘looking into a new deal for the defender’. That is despite the player still having three years remaining on his contract.

Maitland-Niles’ performances resulted in his late call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad alongside Conor Coady.

 

 

Arsenal lining up exciting double raid on Championship hotshots

Arsenal are prepared to launch a double raid on Brentford, with the star attraction that of exciting Algerian Said Benrahma.

Benrahma Brentford TEAMtalk

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has already made strides towards overhauling his squad in his image.

Defenders Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares both arrived on permanent deals. While much-publicised free agent pick-up Willian also signed on the dotted line.

Lille centre-half Gabriel Magahaes is strongly expected to shore up their back-line in the coming days, and one Arsenal legend expressed why his impending acquisition will be “huge” for the club.

Now, according to online publication 90min, Arteta could be set to flex his muscles in a tasty double raid.

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