Newcastle interested in signing wantaway Arsenal star Granit Xhaka

Newcastle United are interested in signing Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka on loan in January if the player wants to remain in the Premier League.

Italian club AC Milan are thought to be the favourites to land the Switzerland international, but Newcastle manager Steve Bruce is monitoring the situation and has been led to believe there is a chance Xhaka could move to the North East.

Xhaka has not played for the Gunners since he was stripped of the captaincy more than a fortnight ago, a decision taken after he swore at fans and stormed down the tunnel during a 2-2 home draw against Crystal Palace.

The 27 year-old is keen to leave and wants to play regularly in order to ensure he is part of Switzerland’s European Championship squad in the summer and is aware of Newcastle’s interest. Xhaka is an international teammate of Newcastle defender Fabian Schar and has been told good things about the club and the city.

Bruce has made the signing of a new central midfielder his main priority in the January transfer window but will not be panicked into signing someone for the sake of it. Xhaka, though, is a player he feels will improve the squad and give Newcastle more drive in the middle of the pitch, although they are looking at other targets given the competition to sign him.

Newcastle are also looking at attacking players and have money to spend, although there are aware January is not an easy month to sign players on permanent deals. With that in mind, loan moves could be easier and the Magpies have two domestic loan slots available.

Bruce will also look to find new clubs for Jack Colback and Henri Saivet, who were left out of the Premier League squad and are unable to play any league games as a result.

Given the fact neither player could get a move in the summer means this will be easier said than done, with both players on wages of around £50,000 a week. Given the financial constrictions at St James’ Park, that is a significant financial burden to carry for two players who cannot contribute to the first team.

They are also braced for interest in striker Dwight Gayle, with West Bromwich Albion keen to bring him back to the Midlands. Gayle is yet to start a game for Newcastle following his recovery from a calf injury, but Newcastle do not have much cover up front, particularly as Yoshinori Muto is also keen to leave because of a lack of first-team football since his move from Mainz last year.

Meanwhile, Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles has been ruled out until the New Year with a knee injury. The defender limped out of the 2-1 win over Bournemouth last weekend after he was shoved in the back by England international Callum Wilson and tried to avoid a collision with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, twisting his knee in the process.