Newcastle United have contacted Arsenal about taking Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on loan - with a view to a sensational summer transfer.
Aubameyang hasn't played for Arsenal in nearly a month and was stripped of the captaincy after a breach of discipline following a 2-1 defeat to Everton.
The Mirror have reported Newcastle are interested in making a swoop for the 32-year-old, who many never play for the Gunners again.
Aubameyang is now away on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Gabon and Alexandre Lacazette has been leading the line in his absence.
Manager Mikel Arteta let Aubameyang join up with the Gabon squad early as he didn't have much chance of featuring in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Manchester City.
Lacazette again started up front with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard supporting him.
Arsenal are currently inside the top four and have been on a good run of form in recent months.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are 19th in the league and have won just one game all season.
A 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Monday saw goalscorer Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson go off injured, dampening spirits.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe was asked about potential January transfers last month, with this being Newcastle's first transfer window since their lucrative takeover.
"Wait and see, I can’t give you promises on that at the moment," Howe stated.
“As I’ve said before, there’s people above me who are working and looking at that. My focus is the team. A lot of games coming up and that is where it has to be.
“But we’ll wait and see. January, as I said many many times, is notoriously difficult to predict and to have a clear plan at this moment is still virtually impossible because there’s twists and turns to come.
“The group of players we have here is my and has been my main focus, will continue to be my main focus because as you say, getting the best out of every single one of those players is the key to us staying up.”
Newcastle are said to have started negotiations with Atletico Madrid for right-back Kieran Trippier.
The England international has 18 months remaining on his deal and is said to be interested in a return to the Premier League.
Trippier won La Liga last season under Diego Simeone and helped the Three Lions to the final of Euro 2020 last summer.
Topics: Newcastle United, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal
Daniel Marland