£47m player is unsettled and wants Premier League transfer after Newcastle interest

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United’s search for a Sandro Tonali replacement could lead to the Toon recruitment team asking PIF for a favour.

The Magpies are on the lookout for a new midfielder following Sandro Tonali’s ban. He will now not play until August 2024, after being investigated for betting by the Italian Football Federation.

It means Newcastle are a man light in midfield, which could be rectified in the January transfer window. However, financial fair play restrictions mean that Eddie Howe is unable to splash the cash, and may therefore have to look at the loan market.

That means there are less potential options, but one possibility could lead to a rather controversial situation.

Newcastle could move for Ruben Neves in January

It has been reported that Newcastle are interested in signing Ruben Neves on loan from Al Hilal. The 26-year-old joined the Saudi Pro League club in the summer for £47million, as part of Saudi Arabia’s massive recruitment drive.

However, Ruben Neves is already being linked with a move back to the Premier League, with Newcastle seemingly interested. But any deal would cause a stir as both the Magpies and Al Hilal are owned by PIF. It has even been claimed that PIF have given Newcastle permission to sign players from their country’s league in January.

That is good news for Newcastle’s pursuit of Neves, and a new report from the Telegraph has provided details on how he feels about a transfer.

Ruben Neves fancies Premier League return

According to the Telegraph, Neves has not settled at Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia and is interested in a return to the Premier League.

It does not specifically say he would be keen on a move to Newcastle, but why wouldn’t he be? The Magpies are the Premier League’s emerging force, and might still be in the Champions League by the time they are able to sign Neves.

Interestingly, Howe’s side were linked with Neves before he went to Saudi Arabia. He is not a new target, he is someone who the club have looked at in the past.

Whether that makes a move to St James’ Park more or less likely is up for debate, but it does appear that Neves wants to be back in England after not taking to life in Saudi Arabia.