He’s like Anderson: Newcastle make £410k-per-week midfielder a key target
It’s been a tough season for Eddie Howe and Newcastle United, who have been unable to establish the kind of fluency and form that has been a staple across the past four years.
Technical director Ross Wilson is ready to enforce action on the transfer front, with Newcastle’s recent draw against Chelsea in the Premier League underlining the problems Howe is beset with.
No side in the English top flight have dropped more points from winning positions – 13 – than the Magpies this year, and this tells of issues in intensity and mentality.
Newcastle are also embroiled in a defensive injury crisis, but the backline isn’t the only area of the pitch that Howe and Wilson and co plan to improve.
How Newcastle plan to strengthen midfield
In Burno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, Newcastle have two of the best midfielders in Europe. But Howe could do with another elite option to serve as a counterpoint, especially with Joelinton drifting at times this term and with Jacob Ramsey yet to prove himself after moving to Tyneside from Aston Villa for £42.5m in the summer.
You get a sense that Newcastle will pounce on a full-back this January should the right opportunity arise, but a top-class centre-midfielder could go a long way toward firing the St. James’ Park side back into the ascendancy.
The interest in academy graduate Elliot Anderson should offer an insight into Howe’s plans, and where he feels Newcastle need reinforcement to reach the next stage in their development.
Should the £100m-rated Anderson prove out of reach, Al-Hilal’s Ruben Neves has been earmarked as a potential alternative. According to Caught Offside, the £410k-per-week Portugal star has expressed a desire to return to the Premier League this winter, and Newcastle are at the front of the pack.
The Toon face stiff competition from Manchester United.
What Ruben Neves would bring to Newcastle
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers star Neves, 28, has Premier League experience and a completeness of style that would align with the way Howe has sculpted his United midfield.
He might not have as high a ceiling as Anderson, but a deal would be far more doable, and he would be ready to provide for Howe’s side for the remainder of the campaign. The prospect of prising Anderson away from the City Ground next month is negligible.
Neves, moreover, has much to give. He has been in fine fettle during his several-year stay in the Saudi Pro League, having been hailed by analyst Raj Chohan as perhaps being the “most underrated player in world football” in recent years, with Wolves’ downfall a by-product of the Portuguese midfielder’s £47m sale in 2023.
Subscribe to our newsletter for sharper transfer insight Want more transfer clarity? Subscribe to our newsletter for deeper transfer-market breakdowns, player comparisons, data-driven context and expert coverage of what signings mean for club strategy — vital for anyone tracking transfers and squad-building. Subscribe to our newsletter for sharper transfer insight Want more transfer clarity? Subscribe to our newsletter for deeper transfer-market breakdowns, player comparisons, data-driven context and expert coverage of what signings mean for club strategy — vital for anyone tracking transfers and squad-building.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
There’s no question that Anderson is the talk of the town this season, but when you look at how he ranks against Neves’ own performance for the Old Gold during the 2022/23 campaign, you see why the latter could be the perfect addition to drive Newcastle back to top form.
Prem Comparison – Ruben Neves vs Elliot Anderson
Stats (*per game)
Neves (22/23)
Anderson (25/26)
Matches (starts)
35 (33)
17 (17)
Goals
6
1
Assists
1
1
Touches*
73.5
92.2
Accurate passes*
48.8 (84%)
58.9 (86%)
Chances created*
0.9
1.6
Succ. dribbles*
0.5 (68%)
1.2 (53%)
Ball recoveries*
7.1
8.3
Tackles + interceptions*
3.7
3.5
Duels (won)*
4.0 (53%)
7.4 (54%)
Data via Sofascore
And two years in Saudi don’t appear to have dulled Neves’ technical sharpness, his senses. In fact, he remains an important part of Roberto Martinez’s Portugal set-up, so combative and cultured and crafty.
Newcastle could do a lot worse than beat Man United to his signature this January. In fact, the Iberian ace would be the perfect complement to Tonali and Guimaraes in the engine room.
Will they win the race? Well, Neves is set to push for a return to English shores this summer. It might just happen for the Magpies.
Huge Anthony Elanga upgrade: Newcastle ready to bid for £100m "superstar"
Newcastle need to strengthen their frontline, having struggled for sharpness at the season’s midpoint.
ByAngus Sinclair