Everton have secured the signing of former Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Lyon on a permanent transfer deal.

The 29-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year contract at Goodison Park, keeping him at the club until 2029.

Reports suggest the deal cost Everton in the region of €3.5 million, equivalent to approximately £3 million, making it a relatively modest outlay.

The low transfer fee was partly attributed to Maitland-Niles having only months remaining on his Lyon contract, which had been due to expire in June 2027.

Lyon’s financial difficulties, stemming from their failure to qualify for the Champions League, also played a significant role in their willingness to accept a reduced fee.

Freeing up wage bill space appears to have been a priority for the French club, making them more open to lower bids for players in the final stages of their contracts.

For Maitland-Niles himself, the prospect of returning to Premier League football likely held considerable appeal without the Champions League incentive keeping him in France.

The versatile player had contributed meaningfully to Lyon’s European play-off campaign, starting all four of their qualifying matches last month.

He scored to hand Lyon an aggregate lead in their second-leg win over Sparta Prague and also provided a crucial assist in their tie against Fenerbahce.

Ultimately, Fenerbahce held on to their one-goal advantage after Maitland-Niles was substituted, ending Lyon’s hopes of reaching the Champions League.

Across his time in France, Maitland-Niles made 119 appearances for Lyon, a remarkable total that comes close to matching the 132 appearances he made during his time at Arsenal.

His move to Everton could now set up a notable milestone, potentially giving him his first opportunity to face his former club Arsenal in a competitive fixture.

The signing came on the same deadline day that Everton failed to complete a separate move for former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, making Maitland-Niles the one incoming arrival from the Gunners’ alumni.

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