Newcastle United are reportedly planning a shock swoop for Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs, his below-par performance this season notwithstanding.
According to Football insider, new Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez has shown interest in adding the England international to his defence line in the summer should they avoid relegation this season.
The full-back has failed to discover his form this term and this has thrown him behind Nacho Monreal who was rewarded with a new contract in January.
Gibbs has been capped ten times by the Three Lions but could miss out on his first major tournaments His lack of consistency and playing time could cost him a place in the England team for EURO 2016 with the likes of Ryan Bertrand, Danny Rose being favoured ahead of him.
The 26-year-old joined Arsenal from Wimbledon when he was 15 years in 2004 and has contract with the club till 2018. However, the club may be willing to cash in on him this summer with the reports that the London outfits will only listen to offer in the region of £12 million.
The move would only materialize if Newcastle succeed in retaining their Premiership status. The Toons are currently 19th on the Premier League table with 30 points.Gibbs have made only 15 Premier League appearances this season, starting just three of those and has been restricted to just the Capital One and FA Cup competitions.
Gibbs have made only 15 Premier League appearances this season, starting just three of those and has been restricted to just the Capital One and FA Cup competitions.
The Independent also reported last month that Arsenal are considering FC Lorient’s Rapheal Guerreiro, 22 as a long-term successor for Gibbs who is out-of-favour at the Emirates. Arsenal will take advantage of their long-term relationship with the French side in securing his signature.
The Portuguese, who is in the final year of his contract with the Ligue 1 side, has an eye for goal, scoring ten goals in 95 appearances. He was a member of the Portugal U21 squad that reached the final of the European U21 championship last summer.
It remains to be seen what becomes of Gibbs at the club, but there is no doubt that we need him since the Monreal is already 30 and may lose pace over time – a much younger Gibbs could fill in the spot while Monreal be drafted to the central defence.
