On Tuesday afternoon, it was revealed that there weren’t enough clubs in favor of the proposed ban, leading to its non-enforcement. Consequently, as widely reported, Newcastle now has the freedom to secure loan deals with clubs in Saudi Arabia affiliated with the Public Investment Fund (PIF). This ruling also applies to the rest of the Premier League, allowing all 20 clubs to engage in transactions with clubs associated with their owners, a practice that has been ongoing for years.
Despite this, Newcastle is at the center of considerable criticism, even though they have yet to make any controversial moves. The club, however, has the opportunity to provoke their Premier League counterparts, with TalkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor suggesting that the potential loan signing of Ruben Neves to Newcastle could particularly irk opposition fans.
Agbonlahor says Newcastle will annoy people if they sign Ruben Neves
On TalkSPORT on Wednesday morning, Agbonlahor discussed the possibility of Neves joining Newcastle on loan in January.
“I think if it did happen and Neves did come I think fans would be frustrated because it’s a bit like ‘okay, you need a bit of help, go and get a loan’,” he went on to say.
“Does a good job for Newcastle, they’re now in the top four, and then you go back.”
“It’ll keep happening even more now, so I don’t see that happening.”
Newcastle probably won’t sign Neves on loan anyway
Agbonlahor is correct. There will be fury if Newcastle signs Neves on loan in January, even though nothing prevents them from doing so.
That is exactly why some Newcastle fans want to see the 26-year-old land at St James’ Park in January. They want to take it out on everyone else.
However, the most vexing aspect of the Neves saga is that the transaction may or may not take place.
He is just one of the midfielders the club has looked into, and the fact that he plays for a PIF-owned team is what has sparked this massive issue.
Even while Newcastle has the legal right to sign Neves on loan, there is another concern. He is set to continue at Al Hilal until at least the end of the season, according to reports on Tuesday.
For all the hype of Newcastle being able to do whatever they want and recruit anybody they want from Saudi Arabia, everyone is forgetting that there will be another club involved with their own interests and ambitions.
Fans will be irritated if Newcastle signs Neves, but they won’t get the chance to be irritated.
