Southampton have enquired about Ainsley Maitland Niles from Arsenal.

The Saints want the Gunners defender on loan for the rest of the season and are hopeful Mikel Arteta’s side would grant their request.

TalkSPORTS reports that West Bromwich have also approached the Gunners about the English International but a move to the south coast is preferred by the 23-year old who has dipped in form.

Sam Allardyce wants to bolster his defensive department as the Premier League second round progress in the quest to avoid relegation.

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The right-back has featured for the Gunners in 11 Premier League games, coming as a substitute in most of the games.

Wolverhampton Wanderers were linked for the purchase of the defender but being a regular starter for the Gunners at the beginning of the current season convinced Arteta to keep him.

“We understand Arsenal are willing to let Ainsley Maitland-Niles leave on loan, with West Brom linked with him. There has been more talk around his future, and it’s claimed that Southampton have entered the race too," Sky Sports News reporter Mark McAdam told on Transfer Talk.

"The great thing about Maitland-Niles is that he is a versatile player, he can play left-back or right-back. Ralph Hasenhuttl likes versatile players, and Maitland-Niles would tick all of those boxes as far as Southampton are concerned.”