da dobrowin： According to reports in the Evening Standard, Newcastle United are interested in signing Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs – along with a number of their Premier League rivals – but are unwilling to meet the Gunners’ £15m valuation.
What’s the word, then?
da stake casino： Well Magpies manager Rafa Benitez is keen to significantly strengthen his squad this summer to ensure that they don’t find themselves in a relegation battle in the Premier League next season following their promotion from the Championship this, and he has been handed a huge transfer war chest by owner Mike Ashley.
One of the positions he is particularly looking for a new player in is at left-back, where Paul Dummett played for the majority of this season.
However, when he was absent the Toon had to play players out of position there and the Spanish boss wants to bring in a first choice player in order to avoid that scenario.
He is interested in Gibbs, who looks set to leave the Emirates this summer after Arsene Wenger signed Sead Kolasinac, along with Watford, Stoke and Brighton and Hove Albion, but he doesn’t feel the England international is worth £15m.
Why not?
The main reason that Benitez isn’t keen to pay the valuation is the fact that Gibbs is surplus to requirements and has just one year left on his contract.
The fact that he started just eight matches and has suffered from injury problems in the past may also be a factor, along with his £60,000-a-week wages.
Would he be a good signing for Newcastle?
He certainly would be, yes.
While he has struggled for first team football in recent seasons because of the form of Nacho Monreal, he has still made 230 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal – as well as 10 for England – and that experience at the back could be priceless for the Magpies next season.
Could a deal still happen?
Of course.
If Gibbs isn’t going to get first team opportunities under Arsene Wenger next term, then he will surely plead with the club to lower his price tag as he looks to secure regular playing time ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia next summer.
If the fee is lowered to say £10m, it could be enough to convince Newcastle to part with the cash for the 27-year-old.