'Hearing Newcastle' - TalkSPORT claim Toon have turned attention to Arsenal's forgotten man

According to talkSPORT, Newcastle United have joined the race to sign Arsenal's Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

This comes via Alex Crook, who's been informed on Tuesday morning that we are showing interest in the former England international who turned 25 yesterday.

Maitland-Niles spent the second half of last season on loan at Roma and is expected to leave The Emirates before Thursday's 11pm deadline, with Southampton, Bournemouth, Fulham and West Ham all linked in recent days.

With injuries mounting up on Tyneside, his versatility could appeal to Eddie Howe. He can operate anywhere in midfield and down either flank at full-back, meaning he could fill in for the injured Emil Krafth - who is expected to miss six to nine months with an ACL injury - or in our engine room after Jonjo Shelvey was ruled out until December.

It seems we are focusing on loan moves over the final few days of the window, but it remains to be seen if this is something Mikel Arteta would sanction now the player has entered the final 12 months of his deal at Arsenal.

That said, he's not featured in any of their matchday squads over the first four weeks of the season, so the Gunners may be willing to strike a deal that suits all parties. One to watch over the coming days and a deal that could make plenty of sense?