Ruben Neves confirms Newcastle transfer plan after controversial vote passed

Ruben Neves has admitted he is “really happy” at Al-Hilal and doesn’t want to leave the club amid rumours linking the midfielder with a January move to Newcastle.

The 26-year-old joined the Saudi Pro League side in the summer for £47million after a successful six-year stay at Wolves. During his time in the Middle East so far, Neves has helped guide Al-Hilal to the top of the league table, seven points ahead of Al-Nassr in second.

However, Neves has been tipped for a return to England in the January transfer window. Arsenal and Newcastle were among the teams supposedly interested in Neves, but the Portugal international has no interest of leaving Al-Hilal following their impressive start to the campaign.

When quizzed about a potential move to the Magpies, Neves told BBC Sport: “I don’t go. I think that’s rumours because of the owner of the clubs of course, and because I’ve played in England as well.

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“There was Newcastle interest before I came here but I’m really happy here, my family’s really happy, so I’m having a great time.”

Last Tuesday, it was confirmed that Newcastle and other clubs would be allowed to temporarily borrow players from other teams under the same ownership umbrella. The Magpies, who are backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, have been linked with several stars from the Middle East in recent months.

The prospect of Newcastle being able to sign players from clubs owned by the same group had sparked outrage. However, the idea to ban it at the Premier League shareholders’ meeting last month failed to yield an overwhelming majority of 14 votes, with 13-7 in favour in favour of implementing the temporary ban.

Al-Hilal are unbeaten from their opening 15 Saudi Pro League matches so far this season, winning 13 and drawing the other two. Jorge Jesus’ side earned an impressive 3-0 victory over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr on Friday, thanks to Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s strike and a brace from Aleksandar Mitrovic.

“I want to pass a message to the fans that this game was a very good spectacle for the Roshn Saudi League,” Jesus said after his side’s win. “It was broadcast all over the world and was a great showcase for Saudi football. It was a high-quality game with high-quality players. The game, until right at the end, was of the highest competitive level between the two teams.”

Neves has two-and-a-half years left on his contract and will be bidding to earn his first Saudi Pro League title this season. Jesus’ side will have go and do that without star man Neymar, however, with the 31-year-old out injured after suffering a long-term knee problem.

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