Newcastle United are closing on a deal for Arsenal defender Rob Holding.

The Athletic reports Holding is on the verge of leaving Arsenal.

Newcastle are closing in on a season-long loan deal for the Gunners centre-back after seeing off competition from multiple Premier League rivals including Leeds.

The agreement is not expected to include an option for Newcastle to buy on a permanent deal next summer, while Holding is still set to play for Arsenal in the Community Shield today with defensive colleagues Shkodran Mustafi, Pablo Mari and Calum Chambers all still sidelined through injury.