Newcastle United is thinking of making an unexpected move to sign a former captain of the Premier League in order to replace midfielder Sandro Tonali.
After joining Newcastle this summer for a record-breaking £55 million, the Italian midfielder has made 12 appearances for the team across all competitions. However, he now faces a 10-month suspension from football due to bet violations he made while he was a member of AC Milan.
According to manager Eddie Howe, Tonali has a “high chance” of playing in Newcastle’s upcoming match against Wolves this weekend. Still, it’s probably going to be one of his final games in black and white for a while. As they attempt to adjust to the demands of succeeding on the Champions League and domestic stage, Newcastle is left in a precarious situation with limited options in the midfield due to the situation involving Tonali.
Ruben Neves, the former captain of Wolves, seems to be a potential midfield candidate for Newcastle to consider on loan, according to TalkSport reports. The Magpies are reportedly considering a move for Neves in January. The former Porto star, who made his first team debut at the age of seventeen, became a vital member of Wolves’ squad between 2017 and 2023.
He spent six years with Wolves, helping the team advance from the Championship to the Premier League. He was also a major contributor to the squad that finished in seventh place the previous two seasons.
For an estimated £47 million, the 44-year-old Portuguese international joined the ranks of prominent players who relocated to Saudi Arabia this summer, including Aleksandar Mitrovic, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Neymar. Since joining the Saudi Pro League, he has participated in ten games; however, Newcastle may benefit from the connections of their owner.
Al-Hilal, one of the four major teams in the division, is owned by PIF to the tune of seventy-five percent. PIF also owns eighty percent of Newcastle. Neves hasn’t played Champions League football since leaving Porto in 2017, so St. James’ Park might be able to lure him back to a top league.
