Ainsley Maitland-Niles has landed in Manchester ahead of finalising a move to Everton from Lyon.
Made In Foot and Ouest France report that the 29-year-old has already passed a medical ahead of his move to the Toffees.
The website reports that Lyon are set to see another departure on deadline day, with Maitland-Niles expected to join Everton.
Their information is that the full-back has already undergone a medical in Lyon. Reports earlier today insisted he was authorised to travel for that medical.
Now he has landed in Manchester United – just minutes ago – to link up with the Toffees. His transfer to Everton is expected to bring in €5m for Lyon and is now ‘just a matter of time’.
Everton pivot
Everton have pivoted to the full-back on the final day of the window as they look to finally solve their search for a new right-back.
Reports have linked the with various names across Europe throughout the summer, but none of those potential deals have progressed.
A deal for Fulham’s Kenny Tete appeared to be in the final stages but that has also now fallen by the wayside. Fulham’s failure to sign a replacement – namely Rayo Vallecano’s Andrei Ratiu – has seemingly ended that possibility.
Return to England
So, Everton have turned their attention to the former Arsenal man in a deadline day deal instead.
The move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium will mark a return to England for the winger, who is a product of the Gunners’ youth system.
He eventually left on a free transfer in 2023, when he joined Lyon. He went on to make 119 appearances for the French club, scoring six and assisting 16.
But his deal with them expires next summer and they were keen to move him on before the end of the window. Everton have presented them with the opportunity to do so. Now the full back is in Manchester heading to Liverpool to finalise the deal.
