‘Sensational’ player is willing to join Newcastle in January now, he could join on initial loan

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As the Premier League prepare to vote on a ban, Ruben Neves continues to be linked with a move to Newcastle United.

The 26-year-old is a loan target for the Magpies, who are in the market for a midfielder to replace Sandro Tonali. The Italy international is banned until August 2024 after being investigated for betting.

That has led to Newcastle showing an interest in Neves, who plays for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. However, it has been reported that he has not settled there and is keen on a return to the Premier League.

In fact, it has even been suggested that he is specifically keen on a move to Newcastle United.

Whether or not that will be possible remains to be seen, but journalist Ben Jacobs has provided an update on the situation via his official X (formerly known as Twitter) account.

Ben Jacobs provides update on Newcastle’s interest in Ruben Neves

Jacobs has posted on X about the Neves situation.

He wrote: “Understand Ruben Neves is open to a loan move to #NUFC. Deal could even have an option to buy. Nothing clearer until after EPL vote on November 21 regarding associated party transactions. Al-Hilal could look at Casemiro in 2024 and are also one club considering Jadon Sancho.”

Option to buy could help Newcastle sign Neves despite Premier League plan

The interesting thing to note there is that Newcastle could look to do a loan deal with an option to buy. That could be a way for the Magpies to get round the Premier League ban that could be on the horizon.

Clubs are set to vote on November 21st, as they look to impose a temporary plan on clubs loaning players from clubs that have the same owner. That would stop Newcastle from loaning Neves, as they are owned by PIF, as are Al Hilal.

Whether or not an option to buy Neves would help Newcastle get a deal through remains to be seen. It would depend on how much the potential deal would eventually cost and whether it was considered fair market value.

But talk of Newcastle signing Neves refuses to go away, which I find surprising. He is obviously a very talented player who has proven himself in the Premier League, and was even called ‘sensational‘ by Gary Neville. But the Magpies had a chance to sign him in the summer and decided not to.

Going back for him because of the Sandro Tonali situation would be a surprise, especially given how ruthless and calculated the club have been in the transfer market since the change of ownership.

Jacobs also adds that Newcastle moving for Neves could have implications for Manchester United, with Al Hilal interested in Casemiro and Jadon Sancho.