Ruben Neves’ Al-Hilal side are top of the Saudi Pro League (Picture: Getty Images)
Arsenal are interested in Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves, hoping to take advantage of the likely block on him moving on loan to Newcastle.
The 26-year-old moved from Wolves to the Saudi side over the summer and things are going well, with Al-Hilal top of the table having won 11 and drawn two of their opening 13 games.
Newcastle have been linked with a loan move for the Portugal international in January but the Premier League clubs are expected to block this next week.
The 20 clubs will vote on whether clubs can loan players from within the same ownership group and it is likely that the possibility will be denied.
Both Newcastle and Al-Hilal are owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) so their hopes of bringing Neves in will likely be harpooned by their rivals.
TalkSPORT report that Arsenal are keen to step in and make a move for Neves themselves as they will not be restricted as the Magpies will be.
Whether Al-Hilal will be as keen to loan one of their players to a club not in the same ownership group is yet to be seen.
The Saudi Pro League has a winter break from 29 December to 14 February, so Premier League clubs may look to take advantage and snap up players on short-term loans in January.
Arsenal were long linked with a move for Neves before he made his surprise switch to Saudi Arabia but a bid never emerged from the red side or north London.
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