The idea that Newcastle United could sign Ruben Neves in the January transfer window seems fanciful at best.
Neves has long been linked with a move to Newcastle United and fresh reports from Caught Offside suggest they remain keen.
Indeed, the fact that the Portugal midfielder plays for a PIF-owned club in Al Hilal made the links with a move to St James’ Park rather obvious.
Hot take: I’m starting to think Newcastle United should sell Kieran Trippier in January – prove me wrong
Would be painful but need to cash in while we can! 👀
Plus, Lewis Miley has now become the Geordie Maldini 😂
Still, while Neves has been linked with Newcastle for years, a move in January just does not feel like a genuine possibility.
Here’s why.
Ruben Neves doesn’t fit Newcastle United’s new transfer policy
Newcastle want to sign younger players in January, as sporting director Ross Wilson attempts to lower the average age of their squad.
At 28, Neves doesn’t fit that profile.
Then, there’s the financial side of things. Neves will be a free agent at the end of the season and is no doubt highly paid out in Saudi.
With that in mind, it’s hard to see how the club afford it, particularly as the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid have also been linked.
Neves, already paid a significant sum, would surely command a huge salary and isn’t even guaranteed a start under Eddie Howe, given the strength of his current midfield.
Though Neves would be a fine addition to the Newcastle United squad, so little about the move actually makes sense.
He is simply too expensive in an area of the squad that is already fairly well-stocked, while he boasts little in the way of resale value.
The midfielder that Newcastle United could sign in January
Just because Neves doesn’t look like a likely option doesn’t mean the club won’t strengthen their midfield during the January transfer window.
Recent reports suggest that Newcastle still hope to sign Kees Smit from AZ Alkmaar in January.
Who is the one player Newcastle United should SELL in January?
At 19, Smit would represent what Newcastle are now thought to want in the transfer market.
The central midfielder is a player on the up, one who could be developed under Howe and then potentially sold on for huge profit.
Other options have been linked too, but none of them are of the profile of Neves.
Signing players on huge money who are approaching 30 just does not feel like something Newcastle will realistically do.
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