Steve Bruce hopes defender Fabian Schar can convince Granit Xhaka to join Newcastle United in January, according to reports.
The Arsenal midfielder's future at the Emirates looks bleak after the 27-year-old was stripped of the club captaincy following a confrontation with home supporters against Crystal Palace.
Xhaka has not featured for the Gunners since, with the defeat to Leicester his fourth successive game absent from the matchday squad.
Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira defended Xhaka, saying he "deserves respect".
''I feel sorry for him because he [was] the captain and he's going through a really difficult period and really difficult time at Arsenal," Vieira said this week.
"I think we have to remind ourselves that he's achieved a lot since he's at Arsenal and he deserves a lot of respect.
"When you're a player and don't perform the way you expect, you get frustrated about yourself. And sometimes you say things or do things you regret.
"I find it really difficult a lot of ex-footballers have jumped on him and being really negative towards him - it's too too easy.
"I know how good he is and he will come through this difficult period because he's a strong man, he's a good player. And he will show how good he is.''
Arsenal boss Unai Emery refused to confirm when the Switzerland international would return, but said talks with the player over his future have been planned.
"After Dani Ceballos' injury we have one less midfielder to use against Leicester and now we do not have a lot of players to play in this position," the Spaniard said before the international break.
"It is important to stay without Granit Xhaka now but I don't know, maybe he can play in the future maybe he cannot. The club also knows how both of us are thinking about that circumstance.
"After the international break, I am going to speak to him again. The club is also speaking with him and we are going to decide how he is and how we are going to use him."
According to Sky Sports, Newcastle are keen to sign a midfielder in January and manager Bruce has been made aware of Xhaka's availability.
The report claims the Magpies boss is hoping that Xhaka's friendship with compatriot Schar could give Newcastle a chance of signing the midfielder on loan.
