The Portuguese midfielder could be in line for a swift return to the Premier League (Picture: Getty)
Newcastle United have revealed that there is currently nothing in place to stop them from signing players from the Saudi Pro League as they look to replace the suspended Sandro Tonali.
Summer signing Tonali made a bright start to life at St James’ Park but will now be unavailable for ten months after the Italian admitted to multiple breaches of gambling rules whilst at AC Milan.
Eddie Howe’s side will therefore look to go back into the market in January to plug the hole in central midfield, with The Telegraph reporting that a move for Ruben Neves is said to be of great interest to the Magpies.
However, the potential move will no doubt attract scrutiny from other Premier League clubs due to their Saudi Arabian ownership.
Newcastle are owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which also owns Neves’ Al-Hilal and three other clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
Neves moved to the Middle East from Wolves in a £47million deal in the summer but has reportedly failed to settle at his new club and would be in favour of a return to England.
And the club have insisted there is nothing at present that would not allow them to make the move, should they wish.
Neves would replace Tonali who received a ten-month gambling ban (Picture: Getty)
‘The current rules and regulations say there is nothing to stop it. Currently,’ Newcastle’s director of football, Dan Ashworth told reporters.
‘There is a potential that the various different organisations will look at things across related parties and what you can do to acquire players at a fair market value.’
There is already precedent for Newcastle doing business with other PIF-owned clubs after they sold French winger Allan Saint-Maximin to Al-Ahli in a deal worth £23million in the summer.
More: Trending
For now, Newcastle will have to deal without Tonali’s presence as they prepare to host Arsenal on Saturday in the Premier League.
Howe’s side will be buoyed by their emphatic 3-0 away win against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup in midweek and will look to close the game on Mikel Arteta’s side, who themselves suffered a disappointing cup exit after their 3-1 loss to West Ham on Wednesday.
MORE : Eddie Howe provides injury update on Alexander Isak and Sven Botman ahead of Newcastle vs Arsenal
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Portuguese midfielder could be in line for a swift return to the Premier League.