{"id":294053,"date":"2023-11-14T23:25:22","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T23:25:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/?p=294053"},"modified":"2023-11-14T23:25:22","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T23:25:22","slug":"arsenal-to-hijack-newcastles-ruben-neves-move-as-alternative-to-douglas-luiz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/soccer\/arsenal-to-hijack-newcastles-ruben-neves-move-as-alternative-to-douglas-luiz\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal to ‘hijack’ Newcastle’s Ruben Neves move as alternative to Douglas Luiz"},"content":{"rendered":"

Aaron Ramsdale’s dad blasts Mikel Arteta’s handling of Arsenal’s goalkeeper battle<\/h3>\n

Arsenal could try to beat Newcastle to the signing of Al-Hilal playmaker Ruben Neves instead of targeting Douglas Luiz in January, according to reports. The Gunners are widely expected to be active in the winter market as Mikel Arteta looks to shore up his squad for the business end of the Premier League campaign.<\/p>\n

The capture of a new midfielder is said to be a priority at the Emirates Stadium, with Thomas Partey set to remain out until the new year with an ongoing thigh issue. Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for Luiz last January but will instead be aiming to leapfrog Newcastle in the race to sign Neves, according to talkSPORT.<\/p>\n

Neves, who only joined Al-Hilal from Wolves in the summer, is widely reported to have been identified as a target by the Magpies in their efforts to replace the suspended Sandro Tonali. A potential loan deal is thought to have been discussed at St James’ Park but their plans to swoop for Neves could soon be scuppered by a number of their Premier League rivals.<\/p>\n

Shareholders will vote later this month on whether to block loan signings between clubs with the same owners, which would stop the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia from brokering a deal between Newcastle and Al-Hilal. This could work in Arsenal’s favour when it comes to their interest in Neves, with sporting director Edu thought to be a long-term admirer.<\/p>\n

JUST IN: <\/strong> Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘decides stance’ on selling Man Utd star Casemiro to Saudi<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Neves already has plenty of Premier League experience to his name after spending six years at Wolves, where he established himself as a club legend with his performances in the middle of the park. He made 253 appearances in total for the west Midlands outfit, scoring 30 goals and captaining the side regularly before joining Al-Hilal in a \u00a347million deal over the summer.<\/p>\n

The Portuguese midfielder would certainly be a promising addition for Arsenal if they decide to firm up their reported interest in his signature at the turn of the year. He would be expected to fill the void left by Partey’s absence in the engine room as the Ghana international continues to recover from a problematic thigh injury.<\/p>\n