Newcastle United want Arsenal defender on loan

Newcastle United are plotting a loan move for Arsenal defender William Saliba this summer, The Mail reports.

The Magpies signed Joe Willock on loan from the Gunners in January, and he was hugely successful for them.

The midfielder netted eight goals from 14 appearances. He ended the season by finding the back of the net for seven straight games.

According to The Mail, the Magpies are unlikely to re-sign Willock, but have their sights on pursuing another Gunners player.

The club have been monitoring Saliba's situation, and will propose to land him on a season-long loan agreement this summer.

Saliba joined the Gunners from Saint-Etienne in 2019, but he was immediately loaned back to the French outfit.

Last season, he failed to make his competitive debut for the Gunners before he was loaned out to Nice in January.

It is unclear whether he will feature in Mikel Arteta's plans next term, and the Magpies are planning a possible loan approach.

Steve Bruce's side look set to miss out on signing Celtic's Kristoffer Ajer, and have identified Saliba as an alternative.