Arsenal will offer Granit Xhaka as bait to land Borussia Monchengladbach’s midfield sensation Denis Zakaria.
The Swiss has been in superb form for the German club who currently occupy top spot in the Bundesliga.
They are fighting off interest from several of European football’s big-hitters for the 22-year-old.
Xhaka is set to leave the Gunners in January after a public falling-out with the club which has seen him stripped of the captaincy.
Steve Bruce would take the Swiss international on Tyneside but a move back to the club where he made his name will appeal to the midfielder.
Any deal would depend on Arsenal having first refusal on Zakaria next summer if Monchengladbach decide to cash in.