Arsenal could sell former captain Granit Xhaka after his recent issues on and off the pitch, with Newcastle United reportedly interested in signing him.
The Swiss captain lashed out at Arsenal fans who have criticised him. His reaction meant he was dropped from the Arsenal squad and was stripped from the captaincy role as well.
According to The Times, Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce could be interested in signing the midfielder as the Magpies lack quality in the middle of the park.
When asked about his club being linked with a move for Xhaka ahead of the game against Bournemouth, Bruce did not reveal much about his plans to sign the Arsenal midfielder, but said that Xhaka is a “very good player”.
It seems that there is no way back for Xhaka into the Arsenal side after his recent outburst at the fans, and the Gunners could sell him in January.
He could go for around £30 million, as per Chronicle Live, and has four years remaining on his current deal at the North London club.
Do Newcastle United need Granit Xhaka?
Newcastle United have several centre-backs and right backs, but they seem to lack quality players in midfield and attack.
In the central midfield area, the likes of Ki Sung-yueng, Isaac Hayden and Jonjo Shelvey have either not been consistent or not good enough.
The Longstaff brothers, Sean and Matty, have been a breath of fresh air, but the Magpies can’t depend a lot on them as the former is just in his second season with the first team, while the latter made his debut barely weeks ago.
Newcastle need an experienced hand in midfield, who can be the engine room in the Magpies team, controlling the tempo, and moving the ball forward. It is surprising that Newcastle are interested in Xhaka after they year or so that he has with Arsenal.
The 27-year-old has been wasteful with the ball, while also making silly errors and having lapses in concentration while defending. The Magpies will have to pay big wages for the Swiss international, while also accepting that signing him would be a huge gamble.
Newcastle should instead target younger players, who could contribute now and develop with team. A player who is attack-minded is the need of the hour rather than a defensive player in the centre of the park.
Xhaka has shown in glimpses that he is a good player, but he isn’t consistent either, something that is already an issue with the current crop of midfielders the Magpies have. So it’s best they look elsewhere.