This interest from Newcastle comes in the wake of Sandro Tonali receiving a 10-month suspension due to a breach of betting rules. Tonali, who was a significant £55 million summer signing from AC Milan, is now ineligible to play football until August 27, 2024. This leaves the Magpies in a tight spot for the remainder of the 2023-24 season. As of now, their midfield options include Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Sean Longstaff, and Joe Willock, as Lewis Miley and Elliot Anderson are sidelined due to injuries.
With the midfield resources looking somewhat thin, Newcastle's manager, Eddie Howe, is reportedly keen on strengthening the squad in January, especially if the team continues to compete in the Champions League alongside their domestic obligations in the latter half of the season. A report from the Portuguese news outlet O Jogo, via nufcblog.com, suggests that Neves is very enthusiastic about joining Newcastle and views a January move from Al-Hilal to St James' Park as a dream opportunity.
Interestingly, Neves is considering a return to the Premier League just five months after leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers for a reported £47 million transfer to Al-Hilal. Both Newcastle and Al-Hilal are under the ownership of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), and this shared ownership connection could facilitate negotiations for a potential January loan move for Neves.
The 26-year-old Portuguese international, who currently has a three-year contract with Al-Hilal, has made 14 appearances in various competitions for the Blue Waves, who are currently leading the Saudi Pro League after an unbeaten start to the season.
