Newcastle contact Arsenal over Maitland-Niles move & Choudhury deal 'in doubt' - The Telegraph

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle have now joined the race to sign Arsenal's Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan.

Luke Edwards' latest piece claims that the versatile England international is being looked at now a move for Hamza Choudhury is 'in doubt', with Brendan Rodgers revealing earlier today Leicester only willing to sanction his exit if they sign a midfielder of their own over the next few days.

It's also not clear if the Foxes will let him leave on loan, with The Telegraph stating yesterday that they still preferred a permanent deal and Luke Edwards suggesting that injuries to Dennis Praet and Wilfried Ndidi may have altered their stance.

As for Maitland-Niles, their 'exclusive' claims Steve Bruce is "hopeful" a deal can be done after the club contacted Arsenal over the past 48 hours.

Both Southampton and West Brom have been strongly linked with a move for the Arsenal talent - who really would be an IDEAL signing for Steve Bruce given he is comfortable playing as a central midfielder or down either flank at full-back.

When talk of him asking to leave Arsenal on loan emerged yesterday, we actually wrote a piece (read it here) highlighting what a no-brainer this should be for the club.

Not only were we linked last summer via Sky Sports and the BBC, suggesting there's previous interest in the dynamic 23-year-old, he would be able to fill THREE problem positions at the club.

He could offer drive, pace and energy alongside Isaac Hayden in midfield, but is also more than capable of playing at left wing-back - a position Lewis is struggling to make his own - and at right-back.

Southampton could have the edge on us IF they can offer him guaranteed first-team football, but this really is a deal that would tick so many boxes.

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