‘Xhaka? He is a very good player’ – Bruce talks up Arsenal midfielder amidst Newcastle links

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.

He then incited the fans before cupping his ear and swearing at them as he left the field, ripping his shirt off in the process.

Xhaka has not been named in a matchday squad since and it is looking increasingly unlikely that he will play for the club again, with a mid-season exit on the cards after he was stripped of the captaincy, which has been awarded to Aubameyang.

While the Bundesliga appeared to be the Swiss midfielder’s most likely destination, Newcastle have emerged as surprise candidates for his signature, and Magpies manager Bruce was asked to comment on these reports.

The former Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa and Hull City boss admitted his admiration for Xhaka but refused to comment on the speculation that he was interested in bringing the player to Tyneside.

"Granit Xhaka? Look, I was only in the job two weeks and I was linked with 42 players. So I am not going to comment on anybody else's players,” Bruce said in a press conference.

"He is a very good player."

Bruce will reportedly be given money to spend this winter as he looks to keep Newcastle in the Premier League, although Xhaka is reportedly valued at around £30 million (€34.8m/$38.3m) and earns a sizeable wage packet at the Emirates Stadium.

Newcastle already have a number of central midfield players at the club, including Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey and the Longstaff brothers, among others, meaning either a change in system or the exit of some of the current personnel may be in order.