Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has praised Granit Xhaka but stopped short of confirming that he was interested in signing the Arsenal midfielder.
The Switzerland international has been linked with a January exit after a clash with Gunners supporters. He was substituted off in Arsenal’s frustrating 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace in which they had been 2-0 up after less than 10 minutes.
Unai Emery’s decision to replace Xhaka with Bukayo Saka after an hour, with the scores level at 2-2 was met with cheers from the Arsenal crowd, which the midfielder took issue with, throwing his armband at Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and walking slowly off the field to boos.