Goodison News exclusive as Everton manager David Moyes applauds Lyon defender Ainsley Maitland Niles.
(Credit: Imago)
Evan Shaw
Mon 4 August 2025 7:10, UK
Everton have been linked with a surprise move for Ainsley Maitland-Niles over the last week.
The Toffees have had a frustrating summer in the transfer market so far, but they could now be about to bolster their ranks with the arrival of the former Arsenal star.
Maitland-Niles is attracting interest from Everton, and he could be an ideal way of providing cover for them both at right back and in the midfield.
David Moyes will know that he needs additional depth within his squad if he is to continue the impressive turnaround that he oversaw last term, and the 27-year-old would go a long way towards helping him to achieve that.
Everton manager David Moyes
Moyes will know that further additions are needed. (Credit: Imago)
This article includes exclusive comment from former Everton scout Bryan King.
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Maitland-Niles to welcome Premier League return with Everton
The exact finances behind Everton’s pursuit of Maitland-Niles remain unclear at the moment, but with the Englishman still having two years left to run on his deal with Lyon, it may take a significant transfer fee.
He has spent the last two seasons with the French giants, and he turned in some particularly impressive displays in 2024/25, as he ended the campaign with one goal and seven assists to his name.
December 2014 – Maitland-Niles makes his senior Arsenal debut as a 17-year-old in the Champions League
September 2020 – The defender makes his senior England debut in the Nations League
August 2023 – Maitland-Niles joins Lyon after several loan spells away from Arsenal
The former Arsenal academy graduate is a consistent and reliable performer, and could potentially slot in well as part of Moyes’ side.
Ex-Goodison scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Goodison News – believes that Maitland-Niles would welcome the possibility of a move to Everton, while Moyes would relish the opportunity to sign such a versatile player.
“I think he (Maitland-Niles) would appeal to Moyes,” King said.
“He’s had a good career, having started with Arsenal and then gone to France and proven himself there.
“But I’m sure he’d like to come back to the Premier League, and Everton would be a good club for him.
“Maitland-Niles is a very capable player, and he’d be a handy squad member.
“He’s at a good age, and if he wants to come back to the Premier League, then Everton could be a very good option for him.”
Maitland-Niles would be a good option for Moyes
Maitland-Niles may not be the most glamorous link of the summer for Everton, but he could do a stellar for them moving forward.
He’s a player who never lets anyone down, and his performances very rarely fall below a strong initial level.
Moyes’ Everton sides of old were built around consistent, no-frills players in the backline and the midfield, and he seemingly tried to get them back towards that last term.
With that in mind, Maitland-Niles would surely fit well with the culture that the Scot is trying to establish at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and his versatility is a huge added bonus.
It remains to be seen whether the Toffees would be able to make a proposal that would entice Lyon to sell, but it would be a shrewd piece of business if they could bring him back to the Premier League.
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