Clinton Morrison has backed Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United to sign Ruben Neves after Sandro Tonali was handed a 10-month ban for betting.
After paying big bucks for the Italy international this summer from AC Milan, Newcastle United are now going to be without a key player in the middle of the park for the rest of the season – Sandro Tonali will be able to return to competitive football on August 7, as reported by BBC Sport.
That has opened up debate about what the Saudi-backed club will do during the January transfer window and if they will bring in another face.
Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison has backed ex-Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves to possibly make that move in the winter, as he told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports News (28/10/23 at 1:10 pm).
In the summer, the Portugal international secured a transfer from Wolves to the ever-growing Saudi Pro League and for Al Hilal.
And given the links between PIF and the Saudi Pro League, it was obvious that this rumour was going to emerge sooner rather than later, with Morrison hailing Ruben Neves as an ‘outstanding’ footballer.
Ruben Neves to Newcastle United
“They are going to look in the market with Tonali now banned,” said Morrison.
“They have been linked with Ruben Neves as well, who is an outstanding footballer. He is playing in the Saudi Pro League. They have the connections.”
Neves would be a brilliant purchase
Prior to Neves moving to Saudi Arabia, many felt that he should have secured a move to a Champions League side.
At the end of the day, the 26-year-old was proving to be too good for Wolves, as well as the fact that he is still at a healthy age to make that step up.
Therefore, if the Magpies do manage to get him in, then they wouldn’t have to worry about the technically gifted midfielder suiting Howe’s system or settling in straight away because he is already used to the pace of the Premier League.
Someone like Neves isn’t as defensively strong as Tonali, but it could be argued that he is far better on the ball and he has a better strike on him.
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