Newcastle United's Sporting Director, Dan Ashworth, Considers Saudi Arabia for Replacement

Newcastle United's chief, Dan Ashworth, has revealed that the club is considering turning to Saudi Arabia in the January transfer window to find a replacement for the banned Sandro Tonali. Tonali, the Italian midfielder, was recently suspended for 10 months due to illegal betting, leaving a void in the team. However, Ashworth fears that Premier League rivals may attempt to block any potential controversial moves.

Potential Target: Ruben Neves from Al-Hilal

Newcastle has been eyeing up Ruben Neves, the Portuguese ex-Wolves star currently playing for Al-Hilal. The club hopes to bolster its ranks with Neves, who is also owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, just like Newcastle. Ashworth acknowledges that while the current rules and regulations allow such transfers, different organizations may scrutinize moves involving related parties. Despite the potential challenges, Newcastle remains determined to acquire the best players within their budget.

Tonali's Suspension a Shock for Newcastle

Sandro Tonali's suspension came as a surprise to Newcastle, who signed the midfielder from AC Milan for £55 million just four months prior. Tonali was found to have placed bets on his former teams, Brescia and AC Milan, to win. The club is now facing the consequences of this discovery, as Tonali will be unavailable for ten months. Ashworth reflects on the situation, questioning what more could have been done to prevent this unforeseen turn of events.

Internal Investigation and Legal Options

Newcastle has launched an internal investigation to determine if they had any prior knowledge of Tonali's actions. The club is also exploring all legal options. AC Milan's involvement in the matter remains uncertain, and Ashworth refrains from commenting on what other clubs may or may not have known. Newcastle's focus is on their own internal investigation and processes.

Eddie Howe, Newcastle's manager, will now have to plan for an extended period without Tonali. The club remains determined to find a suitable replacement and strengthen their squad.