Arsenal are reportedly ready to hijack Newcastle United’s move to sign Ruben Neves from Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal in the January transfer window.
According to 90min, Arsenal are keen on signing Al-Hilal playmaker Ruben Neves, hoping to capitalise on the likely block on his potential loan move to Newcastle.
Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes have been dealt a hammer blow with the news that midfielder Thomas Partey won’t play again this year due to a thigh injury. The Ghanaian midfielder has started just three times in the Premier League this season following a troublesome groin issue.
However, he seemed set to hand the Gunners a significant boost by travelling for last month’s Champions League trip to Sevilla, only to then suffer a setback in training on the eve of the clash.
It has since been confirmed that the 30-year-old has undergone a specialist procedure for treatment of a thigh injury and is now set to miss the rest of 2023. It is unclear when he will be cleared to return, with the matter complicated by the scheduled Africa Cup of Nations in January, a tournament that Ghana will undoubtedly pick him for if fit.
Kai Havertz was brought in to fill the void created by Granit Xhaka’s departure; however, he has struggled since joining from Chelsea. This, combined with Martin Odegaard’s injury issues, has left manager Mikel Arteta with issues to address in the centre of the park.
With that in mind, the Gunners will likely need to bolster his options in defensive midfield in January, and Neves fits the bill. With FFP regulations making any big-money moves unlikely, a loan move for a player already proven in the Premier League could be just what the doctor ordered.
The 26-year-old Portuguese international has consistently been on north Londoners’ radar in recent years, and Arsenal’s director of football, Edu Gasper, is said to be a long-term admirer of the player.
Newcastle United are also eyeing a loan deal for the former Wolverhampton Wanderers star to cover for the banned Sandro Tonali, but their plans could soon be ruined.
The Premier League clubs are expected to vote in favour of a block on clubs loaning players from within their own ownership group next week. Al-Hilal and the Magpies are both owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), and the major rule change could now benefit Arsenal if it comes into effect.
That could give Arsenal a clear run at the Al-Hilal midfielder, who could prove to be an upgrade on Jorginho, and signing him could help boost the Gunners’ title challenge.
