Newcastle United are proceeding with controversial transfer as Sandro Tonali cover – with rivals enraged: report

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Newcastle United are looking to make a move that will annoy rival fans, as they seek a replacement for the banned Sandro Tonali

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe acknowledges the crowd after the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United at Molineux on October 28, 2023 in Wolverhampton, England.
(Image credit: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Newcastle United are closing in on a replacement for Sandro Tonali – which could light a touchpaper under the Premier League.

The Toon are have lost their Italian midfield maestro for 10 months, following a ban from the Italian Football Association, with Tonali set to miss the rest of the season and the Azzurri's title defence at Euro 2024. Competing on four fronts this term, Newcastle are now turning attention to replacements.

Loan moves have been touted to replace Tonali in the short-term – and one particular idea has been met with unhappiness from some on social media. 

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe hugs Sandro Tonali after the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace at St. James Park on October 21, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is looking for cover for the banned Sandro Tonali (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, the Magpies are exploring a loan deal for Ruben Neves.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder is now at Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, having made a lucrative switch in the summer. Al-Hilal, meanwhile, are 75 per cent owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund – the same group that owns 80 per cent of Newcastle United. 

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With the Tyneside outfit unable to afford a top-class replacement outright due to Financial Fair Play restrictions, the report has noted that the shared ownership of the two clubs "can help the success of the operation". 

Multi-club models are extremely controversial in football and the idea that Newcastle could circumvent FFP simply because their owners have a stake in Saudi Arabian clubs brings a question of unfairness to the Premier League. 

Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers poses for a portrait in the Wolverhampton Wanderers Season 2022/23 Away Kit at The Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground on July 08, 2022 in Wolverhampton, England.

Ruben Neves is being linked with a controversial return to the Premier League (Image credit: WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)

On the pitch at least, Neves would be seen as the ideal replacement for Tonali, as a strong defensive presence able to play either as a defensive midfielder or a No.8.

The 26-year-old is valued at €40 million by Transfermarkt. 

More Newcastle United stories

A look at five midfielders Newcastle United could sign to replace Sandro Tonali during his 10-month ban.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have been linked with a £42m England international in the January transfer window.

And Newcastle's long-serving physio discusses the 'volcano' of the takeover with FourFourTwo, plus Eddie Howe's arrival in a dramatic change of fortunes for the Magpies.

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.