Newcastle ready to save Granit Xhaka from Arsenal hell in January with midfielder to hand in transfer request
NEWCASTLE are ready to save Granit Xhaka from his Arsenal hell with a January swoop - as the under-fire midfielder prepares to hand in a transfer request.
The Swiss star, 27, was stripped of the captaincy earlier this month after swearing at fans after they booed him against Crystal Palace.
Xhaka has been dropped by Unai Emery for the last two matches and is set to hand in a transfer request to ensure he earns a spot in Switzerland's Euro 2020 squad.
The former Borussia Monchengladbach star is captain of his national team - but knows he will need regular game-time between now and June in order to keep his place.
Emery has given no timeline for Xhaka's reintegration to the first-team - although he is expected to return to training on Friday.
Newcastle are hoping to take advantage of the situation with an audacious January swoop as they look to solidify their place in the Premier League.
Steve Bruce has already admitted he needs more running and steel in his midfield - and adding the experienced Xhaka would go a long way to helping in those areas.
However, the Toon may be scuppered due to Xhaka's wage demands - with the midfielder currently earning £130,000-a-week.
Miguel Almiron is Newcastle's highest-earner at present on £80,000 per week.
That means Bruce may be forced to settle for a short-term loan deal - with the Magpies able to contribute a large portion of his wages, if not the full amount.
Earlier this week, reports claimed Arsenal were likely to offload Xhaka one way or the other as soon as the winter window opened.
Shortly after Xhaka told Gunners supporters to "f*** off", Newcastle star - and international team-mate - Fabian Schar gave the midfielder his backing.
Schar claimed: “I played with him for years and I know how he is as a person.
“He’s doing everything for Arsenal, which is why he’s captain. He’s a very good guy and people aren’t seeing this.
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“I will see him in a couple of weeks with the international team and I’ll give him a hug.
“It’s very hard for a player when your own fans are against you. Then you do something emotional that people don’t understand.
“He’s doing a great job for us. I know how he is and how he feels. I can really understand him and I’m feeling for him.”