Newcastle United are reportedly keen on signing Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, who is tipped to leave the Emirates in January.
According to Daily Telegraph, Newcastle United are ready to offer Granit Xhaka a lifeline by letting him stay in the Premier League. It is believed that the Magpies are willing to sign the Arsenal midfielder on loan, with manager Steve Bruce closely monitoring his current situation.
Xhaka is tipped to leave Arsenal in the upcoming January transfer window after a troubled start to the campaign. AC Milan are already believed to be the front-runners in pursuit of the ex-Borussia Monchengladbach star, but Newcastle’s interest could potentially add a new twist to this transfer saga.
Nevertheless, Xhaka has had a pretty forgettable start to the 2019-20 campaign. Despite being named the club captain following the departure of Laurent Koscielny, he was one of the most polarising figures at Arsenal.
And after a rude gesture to the fans, who, in, turn, were booing him, during the draw with Crystal Palace, the Swiss international was relieved of his role as club captain. Arsenal manager Unai Emery has already admitted that he’s unsure whether Xhaka would ever play for the club again.
From a sporting perspective, Xhaka hasn’t been helpful either. The Swiss international has failed to provide solidity in the middle of the park and has completely been overshadowed by the performances of Matteo Guendouzi and Dani Ceballos. His inconsistent displays have left the fans yearning for a more quality defensive midfielder in January.
Newcastle United, on the other hand, have also had problems in midfield this season. While Isaac Hayden and Sean Longstaff have emerged as two ever-present figures in the starting lineup, Jonjo Shelvey has blown hot and cold. As for Ki Sung-yueng, he has barely been utilised by Bruce this season, with the South Korean international mustering only 136 minutes of league football so far.
Hence, Xhaka is a viable transfer target for the Tyneside outfit. The Arsenal star can provide additional reinforcements in the midfield department while his aggression would suit well with Bruce’s style of play.
From the player’s perspective, a move to Newcastle would give him the opportunity to redeem himself. But, it would perhaps be wiser for the 27-year-old to move to Milan, especially with the Rossoneri reportedly preparing for life without Franck Kessie. He can still revive his career while playing at one of the most popular clubs in world football.
