Newcastle in for Gibbs

Newcastle are preparing a £15m bid for Kieran Gibbs.

According to a report in The Mirror the Arsenal defender could be on his way to St James’ Park to toughen up Rafa Benitez’s defence for Newcastle’s Premier League return.

Gibbs is one of a number of players that Arsenal will be happy to shed this summer as Arsene Wenger trims down his first team squad.

The 27-year-old has been at Arsenal for more than a decade but has made just over 100 starts in the Premier League.

That stat will do Benitez nicely as he looks to build around a side that knows the requirements of the English game with the Newcastle boss aiming for a top half finish.

Gibbs has a year left on his contract with a transfer deal this summer likely to suit both parties after he featured in just 11 Premier League matches in the 2016/17 season.