David Ornstein provides a major update on Tottenham-linked midfielder 

The Athletic’s David Ornstein has now stated that rumoured Tottenham target Ruben Neves is not expected to leave Al-Hilal in January.

It has been widely reported over the last week that Neves could be set for a swift return to the Premier League on loan, just six months on from his big-money switch from Wolves to Saudi Arabia.

TEAMtalk were the first to report on November 16 that the likes of Tottenham, Newcastle United and Arsenal would be ready to offer the player a route back to England.

The outlet explained that Ange Postecoglou is keen on reinforcements in the middle of the park in January since he would be without Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma during AFCON, with the Portuguese star allegedly ‘ticking a lot of boxes’ for the Lilywhites.

Ruben Neves will stay put despite PL return rumours

Ornstein has now said that despite the growing speculation over Neves’ future, the midfielder is not expected to leave Al-Hilal in January.

The journalist explains that the 26-year-old has established himself as a key player for the Saudi Pro League leaders and is happy and settled in Riyadh.

Orenstein adds that so far, there have not been any approaches for the former Wolves man and barring ‘an unforeseen turn of events’, the player will stay put in the Middle East.

Spurs Web Opinion

The idea that Al-Hilal would loan Neves out, just six months after paying a big fee for him, never made any sense in the first place. 

However, now that PL clubs have voted against banning teams who operate under the same ownership from doing business, perhaps PIF might be convinced to take advantage of the loophole and allow Neves to join Newcastle on loan.