£47m player may be more likely to sign for Newcastle than Manchester United in January

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Newcastle United were very busy during the summer transfer window, signing the likes of Nick Woltemade and Anthony Elanga.

After three rough transfer windows, it was clear that the Magpies needed to make improvements to a squad that was not ready for a busy schedule.

After confirming qualification to the Champions League on the final day of the Premier League season, Bruno Guimaraes urged Newcastle United’s recruitment team to sign new players, perhaps knowing about how much the team he captained had struggled with injury throughout the season.

Eddie Howe’s recruitment team knew they had to deliver, and they did just that, signing six senior players ahead of the new campaign. The Magpies broke their transfer record on Nick Woltemade, while squad depth was strengthened with the likes of Aaron Ramsdale and Jacob Ramsey signed.

Newcastle could venture into the transfer market again in January, with a striker the most likely position. However, journalist Ben Jacobs has shared an interesting update on the future of Ruben Neves, who has been linked with a move in the past.

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Newcastle United could be ‘interested’ in signing Ruben Neves in January

Neves was one of the top players in Europe while at Wolves, helping the Premier League side qualify for the Europa League in 2019.

However, the Portugal international moved to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in 2023 for £47m after six years in the Midlands. Reports in 2023 stated that Newcastle wanted to sign Neves, but the midfielder ended up moving to the PIF-backed club instead.

Neves’ contract runs out in 2026, and there is currently no sign of him signing an extension with Al-Hilal. Speaking on the United Stand, Jacobs suggested that Newcastle could be the next destination for Neves, despite interest from Manchester United.

“I think there’s a concrete possibility that Neves will leave Al-Hilal,” he said.

“I’m just not sure at this point if we’re talking January or the summer, but I think within the next two windows, he will leave.

“There may be a possibility, depending on what Al-Hilal do in their own midfield, specifically in January, that he becomes available on a loan and has a desire to run back to the Premier League six months before a World Cup.

“Newcastle United are the club that has historically looked at Neves and would be interested, maybe in a permanent signing.

“So, I’m not sure it’s anything to get excited about at Manchester United yet. They’ve been looking at a younger kind of profile.”

Ruben Neves may struggle to get into Newcastle United’s starting XI

Signing a player like Neves would be a great coup for Newcastle. A top player who has still been winning trophies away from Europe.

However, Newcastle’s midfield is an area of the squad that is not in any significant need of improvement. Howe currently has Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes as the starting midfielders on Tyneside, and after their form over the last 12 months, it is difficult to see them losing their places in the starting XI unless there is a serious complication.

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Ramsey was signed by Newcastle in August, giving Howe even more depth in midfield. While he is currently out injured, there is a lot of confidence that he will be a top player on Tyneside, with the 24-year-old having aspirations of playing for England.

While Newcastle could sign Neves on a pre-contract deal in January, the 28-year-old will surely come with high wage demands after earning six times his salary at Wolves, according to reports.

Newcastle’s recruitment team must prioritise a position that is in more desperate need of improvement. Whether it is a new striker or a left-back, they must be the priority.