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Ruben Neves is reportedly set to stay at Al-Hilal beyond the January transfer window despite being linked with a return to the Premier League.
Neves spent five years in England’s top flight with Wolves before moving to Saudi Arabia in the summer.
Newcastle have shown interest in bringing him back to the Premier League on a loan deal for the second half of the season, with Eddie Howe admitting he is an admirer of the midfielder, but this has raised concerns from rivals about associated party transfers, as the Magpies and Al-Hilal are both owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
It is likely to be a tight call, but irrespective of whether it goes through or not, Neves is expected to remain at Al-Hilal, according to The Athletic.
Ex-Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves is set to stay at Al-Hilal for the remainder of the season
He has been linked with a move to Newcastle, but Premier League clubs could vote today to temporarily ban clubs from loaning players from teams with the same owners
Their report states Al-Hilal have not received an approach or entered into negotiations with any other club, meaning, as things stand, he will be going nowhere.
Newcastle look set to bolster their squad in January as they aim to cope with the demands of trying to compete domestically and in Europe.
Howe has had to deal with a high number of injuries in the opening months of the season, while Sandro Tonali received a 10-month ban for illegal betting which has left the side short of cover in midfield.
But bringing in Neves, who has also reportedly attracted interest from Arsenal, appears increasingly unlikely.
Instead, Neves looks set to focus on helping Al-Hilal pick up some silverware this term.
They are currently four points clear of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr at the top of the Saudi Pro League, having not lost any of their opening 13 league matches.
Al-Hilal are also flourishing in cup competitions, as they sit atop their AFC Champions League group and have progressed to the quarter-finals of the King’s Cup.
