Arsenal have slapped an £8million price tag on defender Kieran Gibbs in a huge boost to Newcastle United’s chances of signing him, according to the Mirror.
This follows up from the story in the same newspaper which claimed that the newly-promoted Premier League side would have to splash the cash and spend £15million in order to land the 27-year-old.
The Gunners are reportedly willing to let the Englishman leave the Emirates Stadium this summer but only if a club meets their asking price.
The newspaper claims that Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez believes that the full-back would be able to provide the current squad with Premier League experience as the Magpies return to the English top flight next season.
The report claims that the defender wants to land a deal worth £70,000-a-week which is contrary to the recent story in the Evening Standard which claimed that Gibbs was seeking a weekly wage of £80,000.
The full-back will face a tough task becoming a first-team regular next season especially after the North London club completed the signing of left-back Sead Kolasinac from German outfit Schalke.
Gibbs only made a total of nine Premier League starts last season where he only managed to contribute with one assist.
The defender was also left out of the matchday squad for the FA Cup final against Chelsea in May.
Gibbs’ current contract with the Gunners runs out at the end of next season.