Newcastle United can still sign Ruben Neves in January if they pay market value.
Newcastle United have been linked with Al Hilal star Ruben Neves for a January loan move, but the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers man may have to pay cash.
Eddie Howe recently admitted that he admired the Portugal international, who plays for Newcastle’s Saudi Pro League affiliate club. With Premier League clubs expected to vote on a rule change that would prevent Newcastle from loaning stars from one of their four Middle Eastern affiliate clubs, there would be nothing stopping Newcastle from acquiring the player in January.
That was the case when Newcastle sold Allan Saint-Maximin for £30 million during the summer transfer window. There were more rumblings and objections from rival clubs at the time, but the deal was approved.
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Neves’ current market value is between £40m and £50m following his summer transfer from the Premier League to Saudi Arabia. This relocation is thought to have cost Al Hilal around £55 million.
In 2017, his transfer fee from FC Porto to Wolves was around £17 million. Dan Ashworth, Newcastle’s sporting director, is well aware that Newcastle can sign Neves via a purchase option, and stated during the Saint-Maximin sale last summer: “With the Premier League, any trade you have to justify as fair market value.”
“He was a player we liked when we were at Wolves,” Howe said of Neves. We are willing to sign players from anywhere if they are good enough and can help us improve. We must wait and see what the outcome of that vote is.”
On November 21, rivals will vote in a vote that could change loan rules at the Premier League shareholders meeting.
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