Arsenal’s first summer departure CONFIRMED

Robin Bairner

• 24 Apr 2023 05:05 CDT
• 3 min read

Arsenal’s summer transfer plans are starting to take shape, with the first player to depart Mikel Arteta’s squad ahead of renovation work confirmed.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles will leave the club as a free agent this summer, according to The Athletic, with the Gunners have decided against triggering a one-year extension in his contract.

The report states that the decision was made months ago, with the 25-year-old having not spoken to “anyone at Arsenal since last pre-season”.

MORE: Arsenal suffer double transfer blow

Maitland-Niles has spent much of the last 18 months away from Arsenal on loan. He spent the first part of 2022 in Serie A with Roma then moved to Southampton on Transfer Deadline Day in the summer on a further temporary basis.

Maitland-Niles has typically been a starter for a Saints side that has struggled in the Premier League this season, but his performances have evidently not been sufficient to prove to Arsenal that he is worth keeping on a long-term basis.

MORE: Arsenal's ideal Xhaka replacement revealed

Maitland-Niles on Arsenal departure

“It’s been a great journey but it has come to an end now”, Maitland-Niles told The Athletic of his time at Arsenal. “It’s time for a fresh start and to find a new home. I’m looking forward to that but, at the same time, my head’s not quite there yet and it’s all about what’s happening now with Southampton.

“I’m just fully focused on trying to help us stay up and stay positive on a day-to-day basis and win games. When the time gets closer towards the end of the season, I’ll have something else to think about. But right now, I’m just focused on football and the task at hand.

“Southampton is a great club to be at and progress and get some minutes under my belt. Of course, if they were to make an offer, I’ll be more than happy to stay.”

Maitland-Niles has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €6 million.