TRANSFER UPDATE! Newcastle Are Planning To Sign Arsenal Defender Rob Holding

Newcastle United are in talks with Arsenal over the loan signing of defender Rob Holding.

The 24-year-old started in Saturday’s Community Shield victory over Liverpool, which Arsenal won 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.

However, the imminent arrival of Gabriel from Lille is likely to limit Holding’s game time at Arsenal and he is thought to be open to the move.

Holding would boost Steve Bruce’s centre-back options going into the new Premier League season, which starts at West Ham on September 12.

Federico Fernandez and Ciaran Clark started at centre-back in Newcastle’s 2-1 friendly win over Barnsley on Saturday, with Florian Lejeune and DeAndre Yedlin replacing them off the bench. Jamaal Lascelles meanwhile is recovering from an ankle injury.

Bruce often operated with three at the back last season, with Fernandez the most regular starter amid various injury problems for Newcastle’s other centre-backs.