“Is the ex-Wolves player bound for St. James’ Park? There have been recent reports linking Newcastle United to Portuguese national team member Ruben Neves, and a new development has surfaced, as reported by the well-known journalist Fabrizio Romano.”
Newcastle linked with Ruben Neves
The Newcastle United football club is aware of the necessity to make a significant signing in the midfield during the upcoming January transfer window. This need arises following the announcement of a 10-month ban for Sandro Tonali due to a breach of betting rules during his time at AC Milan.
One prominent player that has emerged as a primary transfer target for Newcastle is Neves. Currently, Neves is playing for the Saudi Pro League team Al-Hillal after leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) at the end of the previous season, where he had an impressive run.
There’s speculation about a possible loan move for the 26-year-old, as Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions are likely to prevent Newcastle from making a permanent signing in January. Nevertheless, other alternative options are also being considered.
Eddie Howe, the manager, is also exploring the potential of other midfielders like Kalvin Phillips and N’Golo Kante, as he aims to fill the gap left by the absence of Tonali, who won’t be available for the rest of the campaign and will miss Euro 2024 with the Italian national team.
A new update has surfaced regarding Newcastle’s interest in Neves during the mid-season transfer window, with discussions about a potential return to the Premier League quietly gathering momentum.
Romano shares Neves to Newcastle update
In an update shared with Caught Offside, Romano has suggested that the likelihood of Ruben Neves transferring to Newcastle in the upcoming January window is rather low. Romano stated that there have been no direct negotiations for Neves, emphasizing his current importance to Al Hilal, his recent club.
As he has previously mentioned, Newcastle won’t make a decision regarding the player to sign to cover Sandro Tonali’s absence until they ascertain their standing in the UEFA Champions League group. This factor will be crucial in determining the caliber of player they aim to acquire. Regardless, the plan remains to secure a new midfielder.
Losing out on Neves would be disappointing for Newcastle since he could seamlessly fill Tonali’s role due to their similar playing styles. Neves possesses the same ability in midfield possession and contributes to offensive plays while also performing well defensively.
At 26 years old, Neves is arguably in his prime, unlike someone like Kante, who is now 32 and has grappled with injury issues in recent years. Additionally, Phillips’ reputation has diminished somewhat after a lackluster stint at Manchester City.
Nevertheless, Newcastle has ample time to make a decision, and there’s a chance that Neves might be enticed by the prospect of returning to the Premier League. While Romano suggests that Neves is content at Al-Hilal presently, it’s worth considering that the Saudi Pro League is less competitive than the English Premier League, so Newcastle should consider pursuing this opportunity.
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