Ruben Neves unlikely to join Arsenal or Newcastle United in January

Al-Hilal midfielder and reported Arsenal target Ruben Neves will remain with the Saudi Pro League (SPL) club during the January transfer window, according to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein.

The Gunners were recently linked with an interest in the Portugal international as manager Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his options in the middle of the park following injury to Thomas Partey.

Newcastle United also want to sign the former Wolverhampton Wanderers star on loan to cover for the banned Sandro Tonali.

However, Premier League clubs are expected to vote in favour of a block on clubs loaning players from within their own ownership group next week.

This should work in Arsenal’s favour as Al-Hilal and Newcastle are owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Despite this, Neves has no plans to join the Gunners or Newcastle in January having established himself as a key player for the current SPL leaders.

He is also happy and settled in the Middle East, and there have been no official approaches for him.

Al-Hilal have lost Neymar to a long-term injury while Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is on the sidelines, so the club will be unwilling to sell Neves during the winter transfer window.

Arsenal will need to look elsewhere for a midfielder, as it is a position they are desperate to strengthen in January.