The Daily Mail have linked Newcastle with a loan move for Arsenal’s out of favour centre back Rob Holding – who made only 8 appearances for the Gunners last term.
The 24-year-old has only seen himself fall further down the pecking order at The Emirates, and will be ‘allowed to leave the club’ should Mikel Arteta secure the £27m signing of Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
Here’s a snippet from the Daily Mail‘s piece, which claims Bruce and Leeds’ Marcelo Bielsa are both trying to sign him on loan:
“Newcastle United are interested in the services of Rob Holding who they would like to bring in on loan.
“Holding will be allowed to leave the club if and once Magalhaes’ deal goes through to join Mikel Arteta’s side.”
“However, Newcastle will have to be wary to fend off other suitors, with Leeds United also believed to be interested in the signing of Holding.
“Marcelo Bielsa like Steve Bruce is looking at defensive options to strengthen his team ahead of their first season back in the Premier League.”
Although always being respected by Arsenal fans, the centre-back has been blighted by injuries his entire career and has never made more than 12 league appearances in a season since arriving in North London.
Despite being available on a loan – befitting of our transfer policy this season – a deal for Holding would use up one of two domestic loan spots and centre back isn’t exactly an area we’re short in when it comes to both quality or quantity.
I would rather we used those two domestic loans for a striker and a left-back who posses proven Premier League quality, rather than a centre-back like Holding.
Signing him could mean shopping in Europe once again looking for risks and unpredictable talent, something that has cost us in the past.
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