Arsene Wenger was once full of praise for a player who Everton are now interested in signing this summer.

Everton are exploring a number of deals ahead of the fast-approaching 2025/26 Premier League season, which kicks off in 20 days.

David Moyes has admitted it’s been a tough summer, with many of his top transfer targets rejecting a move to Finch Farm.

The Toffees are focused on signing Malick Fofana at the moment, and Adam Aznou is about to join Moyes’ squad.

They’re also interested in signing a former Arsenal player, whom Arsene Wenger was full of praise for when he was first coming through.

• READ MORE: Leicester City announce former Everton player as their first signing of the summer

What Arsene Wenger once said about Everton target Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Everton are interested in signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Lyon, with the versatile Englishman clearly admired by Moyes.

The Toffees missed out on signing Kenny Tete earlier in the summer, so there is still a pressing need to sign a right-back.

Maitland-Niles came through the ranks at Arsenal whilst Arsene Wenger was in charge and the legendary French manager once labelled him ‘the future’ of the club.

“I believe he is the future,” Wenger said in December 2017. “He can play left back, right back, central midfield. Of the three positions, maybe the least natural for him is left back, but he adapts very quickly and is a good defender.

“He has that sense of one against one, he is very strong, he is very quick, he has very quick recovery runs when he comes back.

“He has some aspects to learn: experience and he has to work on his heading. But overall, what he has done in the last three days is positive.”

Maitland-Niles stats 2024/25

Maitland-Niles, who can operate as a central midfielder, played predominantly as a right-back for Lyon last term.

The 27-year-old managed to register a commendable eight goal involvements across all competitions, including one against Manchester United in the Europa League.

• 44 appearances
• 1 goal
• 7 assists

According to FBref data, the former Arsenal man ranks in the top 14 per cent for assists per 90 compared to his positional peers across Europe, evincing his terrific attacking threat.

Maitland-Niles also ranks in the top seven per cent for tackles per 90, which shows his defensive skill set too.

Statistically, there aren’t many right-backs who are more well-rounded, so it’d be a really solid signing for the Toffees.