Arsenal defender Rob Holding is reportedly on Newcastle United’s list of potential centre-back targets in the January transfer window.
According to the Telegraph, the Magpies would like to end the transfer window with two new centre-backs brought to the club.
Lille star Sven Botman remains PIFs first choice target despite the reigning Ligue 1 champions being reluctant to sell one of their prized assets.
However, it has been reported that Newcastle may have to smash their transfer record and pay up to £60million to land the young Dutch star.
James Tarkowski, who reportedly wants to join the Magpies, is another target, but it’s unlikely that a move will materialise in the winter window as Burnley are engulfed in their very own relegation battle.
Other names mentioned by the Telegraph who are on Newcastle’s centre-back list are Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly, Tottenham’s Joe Rodon, Everton’s Mason Holgate, Liverpool’s Nat Phillips and Arsenal’s Holding.
However, the Telegraph believes that Newcastle’s targets are not confined to the above group of names.
Rob Holding linked with Newcastle once again
Under the stewardship of Steve Bruce, Newcastle were allegedly on the verge of signing Holding on loan in the summer of 2020 (talkSPORT), before Mikel Arteta performed a U-turn and kept the Englishman.
But with Eddie Howe now at the helm, the Magpies have once again been linked with the £40,000-a-week star (Spotrac).
With Gabriel and Ben White Arteta’s favoured centre back partnership, Holding has only made three Premier League starts so far this campaign.
But the 26-year-old has started all four of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup games so far this campaign and he will be hoping to retain his place in the side, ahead of Thursday’s semi-final first leg against Liverpool.
Following Gabriel’s red card against Manchester City on New Year’s Day, Holding came off the bench to bolster the Gunners’ backline.
Holding may want further first team action in the Premier League, but with him seemingly being Arsenal’s third best centre back, Arteta is unlikely to sanction a January exit for the England under-21 international.
The former Bolton man would improve Newcastle’s defence both with and without the ball, but at this stage it’s hard to envisage a move for Holding coming to fruition.
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