Arsenal and Newcastle have both been linked with a move to sign Al Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves ahead of the January transfer window. The Portuguese international left Wolves to complete a £47million switch to Saudi Arabia in the summer.

The Gunners are looking to bolster Mikel Arteta’s midfield options in the new year with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny both set to depart for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) to represent their respective nations. Injuries to the likes of Partey, Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard in recent weeks have seen Arsenal prioritise a move for a new midfielder ahead of a striker in the January transfer window.

football.london understands that one of the players they are looking at is Martin Zubimendi. The Spanish international has been of interest for a while now and has a €60million (£52m) release clause in his contract.

Neves and Douglas Luiz have also been linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium ahead of the winter window opening. Meanwhile, Newcastle are said to view the former as the ideal replacement for Sandro Tonali – with the Italy international now serving a 10-month suspension over gambling offences.

Newcastle and Al Hilal share the same majority shareholder — Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) — which suggest a move may be more straight forward between the two clubs. However, following scrutiny around associated party transactions, the Premier League held a vote at its shareholders meeting on Tuesday having recommended potential switches like this be blocked in the winter market.

The proposed rule change in the Premier League would have needed support from a two-thirds majority of its 20 members to gain approval. An outcome has now been reached following a vote from all 20 top flight clubs – resulting in a 13-7 majority for the motion to ban related-party loans – meaning that it failed to pass by a single vote and therefore allows Newcastle to sign players from PIF-owned clubs in January, should they wish to.#

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According to The Athletic, there have so far been no approaches or negotiations about Neves exiting Al Hilal – who are currently top of their AFC Champions League group – and the expectation is for the Portuguese midfielder to continue to represent the most decorated club in Asia.

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