The list of teams battling to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan this month has come down to Southampton and West Brom, Mail Sport reports.
The midfielder wants to leave the Emirates to secure more football in this second half of the season.
He had won back a place in the Arsenal team at the start of this campaign, but that changed when the likes of Thomas Partey joined the club.
The Gunners are now willing to let him leave temporarily, and the report says his desire to play in midfield will determine the club he ends up with.
He has always seen himself as a midfielder, but he has been used as a full-back or a wingback for much of the time that he has spent at the Emirates.
He would easily get his preferred midfield role if he joins Sam Allardyce’s Baggies, but they are in a relegation dogfight.
Arsenal would probably demand Ryan Bertrand in exchange for any deal that takes him to Southampton.
With Monday’s transfer deadline looming, the Englishman has to decide on his future in the coming days.
More playing time would help put him in Gareth Southgate’s plans when he prepares his England squad for the Euros later in the year.
Worked out well for a certain indovidual who left for the same reason to Liverpool.. Even though he has been a bit unlucky with injuries
Dont understand why some players are so stubborn to play a specific position. If the manager sees him more as a fullback, why not focus on that position?
Particularly, MrLucky when the England manager sees you as a fullback too.
As far as going to Southampton, which is a better fit, Arsenal can demand what they want, even Ryan Bertrand. Whether Southampton agrees to an exchange is another matter. Why would they want to weaken their team?