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.