Newcastle United have reportedly identified Al-Hilal's Ruben Neves as their top midfield target for January, and the Portuguese considers a move to St James' Park as a 'dream move'.
The Magpies are expected to delve into the transfer market in the New Year and step up their pursuit of a new midfielder following the 10-month suspension handed to Sandro Tonali for breaching betting rules.
Both FIFA and Newcastle have confirmed that Tonali, a £55m summer signing from AC Milan, will serve a worldwide ban from football that expires on August 27, 2024, meaning that he is ruled out for the rest of the 2023-24 campaign.
Eddie Howe currently has midfield quartet Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock at his disposal, while both Lewis Miley and Elliot Anderson are sidelined, with the latter facing at least eight weeks out with a back injury.
With Newcastle light in the midfield department, Howe is believed to be keen to bolster his squad in January, especially if they are still competing in the Champions League while also managing domestic duties heading into the second half of the season.
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According to Portuguese news outlet O Jogo, via nufcblog.com, Neves is 'very keen' to join Newcastle and considers a January switch from Al-Hilal to St James' Park as a 'dream move'.
The report adds that the 26-year-old is interested in a return to the Premier League just five months after leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers for a reported £47m to join Al-Hilal.
Both Newcastle and Al-Hilal are owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and it is thought that the connection between the two clubs could help the Magpies negotiate a January loan move for Neves.
The 44-cap Portugal international, who possesses a three-year contract with Al-Hilal, has made 14 appearances in all competitions for the Blue Waves, who currently sit top of the Saudi Pro League following an unbeaten start to the season.
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Earlier this year, Howe refused to rule out the prospect of Newcastle loaning players from Saudi Arabian clubs owned by PIF.
"That depends on if it is the right thing for Newcastle. We'll always act with our best interests first," Howe told reporters in July.
Neves is not the only midfielder that has been tipped to make a move to St James' Park, Manchester United's Scott McTominay and Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips are both believed to be on Newcastle's radar.
The likes of Real Madrid's Dani Ceballos, Fulham's Joao Palhinha and Fenerbahce's Fred – formerly of Man United – have also been linked with a winter-window transfer to the Magpies.
Oliver Thomas
