There will be a lot of anger within the Premier League if Newcastle United sign Ruben Neves in January.

The Magpies have been linked with a move for the midfielder, as they search for a replacement for Sandro Tonali. He is banned until August 2024 for betting.

Ruben Neves has been named as a potential candidate to come in, with Newcastle looking into the possibility of loaning the 26-year-old. However, that might not be possible.

A loan move would spark real controversy, as Neves plays for Al Hilal, who are owned by PIF - just like Newcastle United.

While all this is going on, Neves is unsettled. It has been claimed that he is interested in a return to the Premier League, having failed to settle in Saudi Arabia.

And now an update from Ben Jacobs shares details of how the PS47million man specifically feels about signing for Newcastle.

Ruben Neves interested in Newcastle move Jacobs has spoke to Give Me Sport about Newcastle's interest in Neves, and has admitted that the midfielder would be open to a move to St James' Park.

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"A loan move makes a lot of sense because you know that Tonali is coming back," he said.

"Neves is one possibility and the player is open to the move, but it's not a given because Al Hilal and the Saudi deal-makers are not."

The two sides met at Molineux in August 2022, where they drew 1-1. Neves opened the scoring with a rocket past Nick Pope, while Allan Saint-Maximin scored an even better equaliser late on.

It was a game that ebbed and flowed, and it proved to be a very valuable point for a Newcastle side that were still finding their feet at the start of what would go on to be an incredible season.

However, they were criticised by Neves after the full time whistle.

He said: "Their style of play is like that. Just long balls and second balls. They are not a team who wants to have the possession too much, we knew that."

His comments seemed harsh at the time, as we have never been a long ball team under Eddie Howe. We press high and are physical, but we move the ball nicely rather than just lumping it.

He will see that for himself if he joins in January, but a move to St James' Park for Neves feels incredibly unlikely no matter how much he wants it.