The two clubs, Arsenal and Newcastle, are actively pursuing the acquisition of the Portugal international in the upcoming January transfer window. This is a crucial move for both teams, as managers Mikel Arteta and Eddie Howe are facing a pressing need for reinforcements in the midfield department.
Arsenal is grappling with the absence of Thomas Partey, who is set to be sidelined until the commencement of the new year due to surgery. Additionally, Partey will be participating in the Africa Cup of Nations, further exacerbating the team’s shortage of options in the midfield.
Newcastle is also contending with challenges, as their key summer signing, Sandro Tonali, has been handed a 10-month ban for violating betting rules, ruling him out until the next season.
In response to these setbacks, Newcastle has expressed interest in a loan move for Neves, who currently plays for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League following a £47 million transfer from Wolves in the summer.
However, the potential deal raises concerns due to Newcastle’s Saudi ownership and Al-Hilal’s association with the Public Investment Fund. The Premier League is already anticipating backlash over such transactions between teams under the same ownership. As a preemptive measure, league officials are considering implementing a temporary ban on loans between such teams, with the proposed start date being January.
Regardless of the outcome of such conversations, The Athletic reports that Neves is unlikely to join Newcastle or Arsenal.
As of now, the 26-year-old is anticipated to stay with Al-Hilal until the end of the season.
Neves is content and at ease at the Riyadh-based club, where he has swiftly established himself as a crucial player for the SPL leaders.
While there is reported interest from Arsenal and Newcastle in Neves, it’s important to note that there have been no formal approaches or negotiations for his potential departure. Neves himself is content to remain with Al-Hilal for the duration of the season, aiming to contribute to the team’s pursuit of success in various competitions.
Al-Hilal’s reluctance to let Neves go is further heightened by the injuries suffered by two other notable acquisitions, Neymar and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
In light of these circumstances, both Arsenal and Newcastle will need to explore alternative options for bolstering their midfields. One such alternative for Arsenal is reportedly Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa. However, acquiring Luiz may prove challenging, as Aston Villa, currently performing well under Unai Emery, is unlikely to entertain the idea of selling, especially with aspirations of securing a coveted spot in the Champions League.
