Brighton targeting ambitious move for Arsenal star Ainsley Maitland-Niles after signing Adam Lallana and Joel Veltman

Brighton are considering a move for disgruntled Arsenal star Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to reports.

The Seagulls secured their Premier League status with relative ease after the COVID-19 lockdown period and have already begun planning for next season.

Getty Images – Getty

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is a player Brighton are seriously targeting

With technical director Dan Ashworth pulling strings, Adam Lallana and Joel Veltman have already both completed moves to the Amex Stadium.

Former England Under-21 international Maitland-Niles is reportedly next on the list as he targets first-team football.

According to the Daily Mail, there is concrete interest from a number of clubs for Maitland-Niles as he weighs up his options.

AFP or licensors

The 22-year-old is a midfielder by choice, but can operate from the full-back roles

The 22-year-old has three years left on his current deal at the Emirates, but is often used at full-back when called upon by Mikel Arteta – who values the midfielder.

This was best exemplified when he started against Manchester City in the FA Cup final earlier this month during the 2-0 victory at Wembley.

Ashworth is very familiar with Maitland-Niles and his undoubted talents from his role in the FA, with the midfielder playing a key part in England’s Under-20 World Cup winning squad in 2017.

Adam Lallana on his Liverpool exit and move to Brighton