Newcastle United are reportedly keen on Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs.
As reported by The Mirror, Arsenal have decided to leave left back Kieran Gibbs off their pre-season tour squad list – and that could just give Newcaslte hope of a deal.
The Gunners are heading out to Australia and China this week to kickstart a pre-season tour which will see them take on Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers, Bayern Munich and Chelsea ahead of the new Premier League season.
Lincoln’s Bradley Wood in action with Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs
Arsene Wenger has now named his squad for the trip, and new signing Alexandre Lacazette is amongst the players included having completed his move from Lyon last week.
However, a number of players have been left at home ahead of expected departures, with left back Kieran Gibbs one of those unfortunate players to be omitted from the trip, with his exclusion seen as a pre-cursor to a move.
If Gibbs has been left at home ahead of a possible exit, then it could give Newcastle United the perfect chance to swoop in and sign him, after The Northern Echo claimed that the left back is a ‘leading target’ for the Magpies.
Gibbs, 27, started just eight Premier League games last season and has been pushed even further down the pecking order by Sead Kolasinac’s arrival from Schalke earlier this summer.
Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs in action with Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe
A former England international, Gibbs needs to be playing first-team football next season, and whilst Newcastle do have Paul Dummett available at left back, Gibbs could offer Rafael Benitez another option with real Premier League experience.
Newcastle’s summer transfer window has been frustrating so far, but with Gibbs left out of Arsenal’s pre-season tour squad, this is the ideal opportunity for the Magpies to land a player that Benitez has seemingly identified as a potentially important signing.
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