Newcastle target Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen

Newcastle United are tracking Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen, with a view of making a transfer offer during the January transfer window, as per The Daily Star.

Joe Kinnear, who is the Magpies'  director of football is thought to have had a close eye on the talented Belgian centre-back defender in the last month, as the Tyneside outfit way up a transfer bid for the player during the winter transfer window

Vermaelen has struggled to regain his first-team place since recovering from a back injury, due to the excellent defensive partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.

Arsene Wenger is expected to deny his club captain leave on a permanent basis, due to the club's shortage in defensive options.