Town are targeting Arsenal youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles as manager Mick McCarthy looks to add to his attacking midfield options ahead of the new season.

While reports elsewhere claiming that Maitland-Niles is imminently set to sign on a season-long loan are premature, TWTD understands that the 17-year-old wideman or central midfielder is a Blues target and talks have taken already place as McCarthy seeks to add more of a cutting edge to his midfield.

Goodmayes-born Maitland-Niles, who is primarily a right-sided winger, joined Arsenal’s academy aged nine and broke into their U21 side during 2013/14, signing a pro deal in October 2014.

The England U17 and U18 international made his senior debut as a sub in last season’s Champions League game with Galatasaray and also made first team appearances from the bench against Newcastle in the Premier League and Hull City in the FA Cup.

The Gunners are understood to be keen to send Maitland-Niles out on loan to gain experience with a number of Championship clubs believed to have expressed an interest in addition to Town, but the Blues would appear to be very much in the driving seat with their move looking to be at an advanced stage.

Speaking at the end of the season, McCarthy said he wanted to see more goals from his midfield during 2015/16.

“It has been one of my big bugbears that we have not had enough goals from midfield,” he told the club site.

“We have relied heavily on Murph and Didz for the goals over the last two years, with the defenders contributing their fair share as well.

“It’s getting there that matters, not how you do it and we got to 78 points but our midfield players and wide players have got to contribute more in terms of goals.

“Of course if a goalscoring midfielder becomes available, I would love to bring one in. If we can find them, we will try.”

Maitland-Niles hit the headlines earlier in the year when his mother, Jule Niles, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting two people at Arsenal’s training ground, amongst them Arsene Wenger's negotiator Dick Law. She was later released without charge.

Photo: Action Images

blue_movies added 16:18 - Jun 16 even if we signed him we'd play tabb
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blueherts added 16:32 - Jun 16 connolly and o donnell the future
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blueherts added 16:34 - Jun 16 sorry ! meant McDonnell - him and Dylan gonna tear it up next season
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Michael11 added 16:44 - Jun 16 Sounds promising. Can his violent mum play right back?
2

Kirbmeister added 17:22 - Jun 16 Yeah that clip of the JET super goal and look how that signing turned out. PACE alone won't cut it you have to remember to take the ball with you. That's what happened to Haynes as well quick but sod all else to his game. Agree that the championship is a totally different proposition.
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topguy added 17:27 - Jun 16 But he might be like Ibe was for Derby last season who wouldn't want that.
2

Seasider added 18:10 - Jun 16 Nice to see football played the Arsenal way(my boyhood team)although have supported Town since going to PR to see Stanley Matthews on a free ticket. Was similarly heartened when Mick signed Cameron Stewart and Alex Henshall last close season only to be disappointed when neither featured for first team.Since then Mick has signed I believe three Irish lads,one of whom he spoke highly of but hasn't made squad. If he does sign him hope he doesn't coach the attacking flair out of him!

0

jas0999 added 18:29 - Jun 16 'Look to add to his attacking midfield options'. We don't have ANY attacking midfield options! Need to sign a couple of attack minded midfield players. We simply don't score enough midfield goals.
4

Ipswichbusiness added 18:30 - Jun 16 I worry about signing these young players on loan. We spend time improving someone else's player and they take up a place in our team that ought to go to one of our own youngsters; or are they saying implicitly that are own youngsters are not good enough?
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runaround added 18:33 - Jun 16 Sounds a promising player. Always something exciting about signing players. If we can get him he will bring one ingredient that we miss.....pace
1

Surco72 added 18:35 - Jun 16 Good exciting prospect would be an excellent signing if it comes off and he plays . Will probably get criticised for his defending and terrific Tabby be selected over him though !!
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Slambo added 18:39 - Jun 16 Thoroughly enjoyed watching him skin half the Norwich team in that clip...
2

rickw added 18:49 - Jun 16 We don't only sign Irish players but we do get more than most! I mean in the last 2 years we've signed Murphy, Tabb, McGoldrick (OK English when we got him!), Stephen Hunt, Noel Hunt, Sammon, St. Ledger, Kenny and Connolly - and probably more who I've forgotten!
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tractorboybig added 18:51 - Jun 16 Every time we are linked with some one every one thinks its a great addition. What good is a 17 year old to us??????
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topguy added 19:02 - Jun 16 How ridiculous if hes good enough hes old enough, and he is thought of at Arsenal which is nice he just is not at the standard of Walcott or Wiltshire but who in the championship is remember giggs and beckham was 17 and in the first team.
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blueherts added 20:07 - Jun 16 Rickw - and not forgetting Adam McDonnell !! star in the making
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blueherts added 20:10 - Jun 16 http://www.greenun24.co.uk/ipswich-town/latest-news/adam_mcdonnell_can_become_ho
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wayway added 21:26 - Jun 16 Can anyone tell me why everyone thinks Johnny Williams is the be all and end all. He is a premiership reserve player at best for gods sake
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martleshamitfc added 22:13 - Jun 16 He is good at hitting the woodwork! lol
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BlueandTruesince82 added 23:02 - Jun 16 The 17 year olds to young, the 32 year old is to old. Mick really is a limpet between a rock and a hard place. He looks skillful but thats just 5 mins of highlights, give him a go. He's not on Mega Money even at Aresnal 17 so let him come and try and make a name for himself. If he does great if not what have we really lost.
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Tractamatt added 23:17 - Jun 16 I'm wondering wether Mings is part of the deal.?
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Sospiri added 08:12 - Jun 17 Did his agent get that clip made up? He hit the woodwork so any times, I thought he was never going to score! Has all the skills though. Wonder if he would ever get picked, and how he'd cope in this hard, old league.
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Sospiri added 08:15 - Jun 17 On a different note, I think Mick will be targeting automatic promotion this year. He has built well. This is the year he will go all out for it. It might not work for us, but it should be a fun and exciting journey.
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2_Goal added 09:44 - Jun 17 Thanks for the 5 mins highlights video. He looks excellent. Skilful but strong. Definitely worth a shot. Let's hope we pull this off. Exciting times ahead I feel...
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SW1_Blue added 11:40 - Jun 17 Let's hope he's got strong neck muscles. He'll only be watching the ball fly over his head. HOOF
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