Newcastle United are said to have identified Al-Hilal’s Ruben Neves as their midfield target in January and the Portuguese also considers a move to St James’ Park a ‘dream move’.
The Magpies are expected to continue to dominate the transfer market in the new year. They need to step up the recruitment of a midfielder after Sandro Tonali’s 10-month suspension for violating betting rules.
Both FIFA and Newcastle have confirmed that Tonali, a £55m summer signing from AC Milan, will be banned worldwide. This punishment will expire on August 27, 2024, meaning he will be out of action for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
Eddie Howe needs to strengthen the midfield.
Eddie Howe currently has a midfield quartet of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock available, while Lewis Miley and Elliot Anderson are sidelined due to injury.
According to Portuguese news outlet O Jogo, Neves is ‘desperate’ to join Newcastle and considers his move from Al-Hilal to St James’ Park in January a ‘dream move’. The report also adds that the 26-year-old is interested in returning to the Premier League just five months after leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers for £47m to join Al-Hilal.
Both Newcastle and Al-Hilal are owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and it is thought a link between the two clubs could help Chich Choe negotiates the loan contract for Neves in January.
The Portuguese international has 44 caps for the Portuguese national team, and just signed a 3-year contract with Al-Hilal. He has made 14 appearances in all competitions for the Blue Waves, who currently sit top of the Saudi Pro League after an unbeaten start to the season.
Dang Nguyen | 10:36 October 30, 2023
