Premier League to rush through vote to block Newcastle signing Ruben Neves

08 November 2023 , 18:52

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Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves has been linked with a loan move to Newcastle (Image: Getty Images)

A vote will take place at the next Premier League shareholders' meeting about whether sides will be able to sign players on loan from associated clubs in January.

It comes after Newcastle had been heavily linked with signing Ruben Neves on loan from Al-Hilal, just six months since his £47million move to the Saudi Pro League. Newcastle and Al-Hilal are both owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and there is currently no regulation to prevent the deal from happening.

But now, according to The Athletic, Premier League clubs are set to vote on a proposal to fast-track a ban on potential deals such as Neves' to Newcastle. The step has not been designed to stop that specific transfer, but it's instead part of a wider ongoing consideration over associated party transactions.

There is a growing concern among some of its 20 members over parties doing deals between each-other and the Premier League will validate the rule change if at least a two-thirds majority (14 clubs) agree. The voting process is set to be approved on November 21.

As for Neves, he joined Al-Hilal from Wolves in June but has been tipped with a move to Newcastle after Sandro Tonali was handed a 10-month ban from football for breaching rules on betting. The Magpies are set to dip into the market for a new midfielder in January, as they prepare to challenge for top-four finish once again.

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Newcastle also sold Allan Saint-Maximim to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli and Premier League rivals are worried the Magpies could use the four Saudi Arabian clubs they own to get players back on the cheap.

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Director of Football Dan Ashworth said: "The current rules and regulations say there is nothing to stop it. Currently. 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."

On the pitch, Newcastle were beaten 2-0 at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday thanks to Niclas Fullkrug and Julian Brandt. Speaking after the game, Eddie Howe said: "I think we'll be a bit bruised but very quickly in football you get a chance to feel very differently when a new day comes. We have two massive games to come (in the Champions League) and we'll try to give our all to get the results we need."

Kieran King