Transfer Talk: Ruben set to remain in Saudi in blow to Newcastle

Ruben Neves is reportedly not interested in a move back to the Premier League in January.

The Portuguese midfielder, 26, has been heavily linked with a winter switch to Newcastle or Arsenal after joining Saudi side Al-Hilal this summer.

Premier League clubs voted against a temporary ban on loan deals between associated clubs in the January window on Tuesday.

That paved the way for a move to the Magpies, who like Al-Hilal are majority-owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.

But according to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Neves is set to snub a return to England in favour of remaining in the Middle East.

The news will likely come as a significant blow to Newcastle, who are on the hunt for a Sandro Tonali replacement after the Italian midfielder recently received a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules.

Neves joined Al-Hilal from Wolves in a £47million deal and has been a key figure in the Riyadh-based outfit's unbeaten start to the Saudi Pro League season.

The 45-cap international has featured in 12 of 13 league games and scored twice in two King's Cup appearances.

In other news

According to The Sun, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will not let out-of-favour defender Raphael Varane leave the club until the summer.

Fulham are willing to let Joao Palhinha complete his move to Bayern Munich in January for less than the £52-56m fee they previously demanded, say Sky Germany.

David De Gea has made it clear that he does not want to move to the Saudi Pro League, report 90min, but the 33-year-old free agent could join a Major Soccer League club next year.