Eddie Howe breaks silence over controversial Ruben Neves transfer as Prem rivals eye rule change to block Newcastle deal

EDDIE HOWE hinted Newcastle will fight Premier League rivals over a proposed ban on them loaning players from Saudi Arabia – after admitting he admires Ruben Neves.

Premier League clubs will vote later this month on whether to block January loans between teams with the same owners.

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Ruben Neves is a transfer target for Newcastle following Sandro Tonali’s ban[/caption]

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund owns four Pro League clubs in the Gulf nation as well as Newcastle.

The Toon are scouring the market for midfield reinforcements following Sandro Tonali’s ten-month suspension for illegal betting.

Neves, 26, plays for PIF-controlled Al-Hilal and is believed to be keen on a Prem return less than five months after leaving Wolves for £47million.

And Toon boss Howe said: “He was a player we liked when at Wolves.

“We are open to signing players from anywhere if they’re good enough and make us better.”

When asked if Newcastle would fight the changes, Howe added: “You can make that assumption.”

Premier League chiefs will meet on November 21 to discuss the rule changes, with 14 votes needed for the proposal to be passed.

They could also restrict Newcastle’s potential to strike sponsorship deals with PIF-owned companies unless they table other bids of the same value.

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And Howe – who returns to Bournemouth tomorrow – added: “We have to wait and see what the result of that vote is.”

Elsewhere, the Magpies have been linked with Copenhagen’s brilliantly-named winger Roony Bardghji.

The 17-year-old scored the Danish side’s winner against Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday and is being tracked by a number of top European sides.

Rex