Today, there’s intriguing news regarding Ruben Neves, the Al-Hilal midfielder and Portuguese International, who is being associated with a potential move to Newcastle in January. According to The Telegraph, the 26-year-old Neves may make a temporary switch to Newcastle early next year. This move is seen as a solution to address the void left by Tonali, who is facing a ban for illegal gambling, expected to be officially confirmed in the coming days.
Neves, with six years of experience at Wolves, is a seasoned Premier League player, making him a seamless fit for the Newcastle team. Furthermore, his international experience adds to his credentials. Notably, Neves moved to Al-Hilal for a substantial £47 million during the summer, and it’s worth mentioning that both Al-Hilal and Newcastle are under the ownership of the Saudi Arabia PIF fund.
However, it’s imperative that Newcastle handles the terms and conditions of this potential loan with great care. The Premier League is vigilant, waiting for any missteps from Newcastle, and they would swiftly take punitive action.
Considering that around £52 million was spent on Tonali, securing a loan player during his absence seems like a prudent move. Kalvin Phillips of Manchester City, a 27-year-old English International with Premier League experience, has been suggested as a possible candidate who could adapt quickly.
In addition to Phillips, there’s interest in Scott McTominay from Manchester United, a player who Eddie Howe has been monitoring for over a year. Nonetheless, there is some uncertainty regarding McTominay’s suitability, given Newcastle’s current strong performance in the Premier League. It’s possible that to further elevate the squad’s quality, Newcastle may need to bring in top-tier players.