Arsenal are reportedly keen on signing Chelsea defender David Luiz, but face competition from Newcastle, who are considering a loan move in January.

The Standard write that the Gunners are interested in a £30m deal for the Brazilian defender, but now Newcastle are reportedly keen.

On the surface, Arsenal would appear to be favourites, considering the financial gap between the two clubs and the appeal of joining a club in European competition.

However, Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez already knows Luiz from his time at Chelsea, and is offering a loan deal, to make up for the fact they can’t afford a large transfer fee, allowing a return to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

According to the report, Luiz’s relationship with manager Antonio Conte has broken down, which is the cause of the exit rumours.

The 30-year-old hasn’t played for Chelsea in the league since October, and although he’s currently out with a knee injury, he was already being named among the substitutes before that.

Arsenal have centre-back issues of their own, with Per Mertesacker retiring to take over the academy at the end of the season, and Shkodran Mustafi asking to leave over the summer.

It might not be such a bad idea for the Gunners to move for a defender with so much Premier League experience. But until we have some more concrete evidence, I’m still going to be sceptical about Arsenal spending £30m on someone in their thirties.