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Newcastle United 'eyeing January moves for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, N'Golo Kante, Gabri Veiga'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 03 November 2023

Newcastle 'eyeing January moves for Milinkovic-Savic, Kante, Veiga'

Newcastle United are reportedly considering January moves for Al-Hilal's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Al Ittihad's N'Golo Kante and Al-Ahli's Gabri Veiga.

The Magpies are planning to be "active" in the winter-window market and may look to recruit a new midfielder following the 10-month ban handed to summer signing Sandro Tonali for breaching betting rules.

Tonali is currently training with Newcastle according to manager Eddie Howe, but the Italian has been ruled out for the rest of the 2023-24 campaign, with his ban expiring on August 27, 2024.

A host of midfielders have since been linked with a mid-season move to Newcastle, including Al-Hilal's Ruben Neves, who is allegedly 'dreaming' of a January loan to the Magpies and a return to the Premier League just six months after swapping Wolverhampton Wanderers for Al-Hilal.

Newcastle are owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) who also control Saudi quartet Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, Al Ittihad and Al-Nassar, who were at the forefront of the nation's significant spending spree on top players from across Europe in the summer.

Al Hilal's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic pictured on September 29, 2023 © Reuters

It is thought that the Magpies' connections with PIF could therefore help in their quest to lure some of the Saudi Pro League's best players back to Europe in January.

Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth recently stated that there are currently no rules in place to prevent the club from negotiating and signing players from Saudi Arabian clubs in the New Year.

According to Fichajes, Neves is not the only Al-Hilal player of Newcastle's radar as they also hold an interest in Serbian star Milinkovic-Savic, who ended his eight-year association with Lazio to complete a €40m transfer to the Middle East this summer.

The 28-year-old established legendary status with Lazio after scoring 69 goals and registering 59 assists in 341 appearances across all competitions, scoring nine and assisting eight in 36 Serie A games last season to help the club finish second and qualify for the Champions League.

Milinkovic-Savic has since contributed with four goals and two assists in 12 matches for new club Al-Hilal, who sit top of the Saudi Pro League following a 12-game unbeaten start to the campaign.

Al Ittihad's N'Golo Kante pictured on September 1, 2023 © Reuters

Fichajes also claims that Newcastle are considering a January swoop for Al Ittihad midfielder Kante, who joined the Saudi club from Chelsea on a free transfer in the summer after a seven-year spell at Stamford Bridge.

The 32-year-old, arguably one of the Premier League's greatest-ever defensive midfielders, won two English top-flight titles and made a combined 227 league appearances during spells at Chelsea and Leicester City.

Kante, who also won the Champions League with Chelsea, has since featured 15 times for new club and reigning Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad this season, playing alongside French compatriot Karim Benzema.

Another Saudi Pro League player said to be on Newcastle's radar is Spanish prodigy Veiga, who at the age of just 21 made the surprising move to the Middle East from Celta Vigo in the summer despite reported interest from a number of top European clubs.

Newcastle were believed to be one of several Premier League teams who expressed a summer interest in Veiga, who scored 11 times in 56 appearances for Celta Vigo over a two-year period and has since featured 10 times for new club Al-Ahli, providing two assists.