Neves admits Newcastle 'interest' but rules out move

Ruben Neves has ruled out a potential January move to Newcastle, revealing he "wants to stay" at Al-Hilal.

The Portugal international joined the Saudi Pro League side from Wolves for £47million in June and had been linked with a switch to Tyneside.

Both clubs are owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, opening up the possibility of a move back to England after a vote to prevent loan deals in such scenarios did not receive enough support.

But Neves insists he is not interested in returning so soon.

He 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.

"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.

"Everything is going really well for me and I want to stay here."

Eddie Howe is keen to add to his midfield options as his squad suffers a major injury crisis that has affected their Premier League and Champions League campaigns.

The Magpies boss has also lost summer recruit Sandro Tonali to a 10-month ban for gambling offences, leaving his options in that area of the field particularly thin.

And he has previously admitted that the former Wolves lynchpin is "a player we liked" during his time at Molineux.

His team take on Manchester United on Saturday as they look to close the gap on the top four of the Premier League.

And they could still progress to the latter stages of the Champions League should they beat AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain drop points against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, 13 December.