With Sandro Tonali sidelined at Newcastle for the next 10 months, urgent collaboration between Eddie Howe and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is required to secure a suitable replacement come January.
Whether the acquisition will be a temporary stopgap during Tonali’s absence or a permanent fixture remains uncertain.
What is clear, however, is that the Magpies must expedite their decision-making process to ensure a swift execution of the deal once the transfer window reopens.
Numerous reports, including one from The Sun, have suggested that Ruben Neves, formerly of Wolves and now with Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, is a prime candidate to join Eddie Howe’s project.
This potential interest may be attributed to the fact that PIF owns prominent clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
Fabrizio Romano, a respected columnist for CaughtOffside, shared his insights on the speculation surrounding Neves in his exclusive Daily Briefing.
He expressed, “I’m not aware of direct negotiations for Ruben Neves, honestly. He just joined Al Hilal, and he’s a key player for them.”
He emphasized that Newcastle’s decision regarding the replacement for Tonali is contingent on their performance in the UEFA Champions League group stage, which will dictate the caliber of player they target. Nevertheless, it is evident that the club intends to reinforce their midfield.
In the world of football, nothing is ever set in stone, and the intricate landscape of ownership in the sport could potentially lead to Neves donning the Newcastle jersey in the future.
As Newcastle fans await further developments, the urgency of identifying and securing an adequate replacement for Tonali looms large, and the collaboration between Eddie Howe and PIF is essential in navigating this crucial January transfer window.