Newcastle have emerged as surprise suitors for out of favour Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, claims The Daily Telegraph.
Xhaka has not played for Arsenal since an altercation with supporters during their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at the end of October.
Arsenal have since stripped Xhaka of the captain's armband and the Switzerland international fears he will never play for the club again.
The Gunners are expected to listen to offers for the 27-year-old in January and Newcastle are keen on handing the midfielder a route out of his Emirates nightmare.
Serie A giants AC Milan are considered favourites for Xhaka's signature but Newcastle are prepared to loan the midfielder if he wants to stay in the Premier League.
Newcastle head coach Steve Bruce has made signing a new central midfielder a priority for the January transfer window and believes Xhaka would improve his current options.
Of players that have started at least 100 games in the Premier League since August 2016, only Oriol Romeu (one every 261.6 minutes) averages a yellow card more frequently than Xhaka (one every 310.2 minutes).
