Arsenal planning shock move for Al-Hilal star

Arsenal are reportedly exploring a loan move for Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves during the January transfer window.

The Gunners are currently without Thomas Partey with a thigh injury and he is not expected to return until the New Year.

Partey and Mohamed Elneny could then report for African Cup of Nations duty in Ivory Coast with their respective countries.

This would leave Jorginho and Declan Rice as the only specialist central midfielders and Arsenal are keen to address the concern.

TalkSPORT claim that the Gunners are looking into a deal for Neves, who has been on their radar for some period of time.

Neves was linked with several high-profile teams earlier this summer before he joined Al-Hilal from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Portuguese has not ruled out a Premier League return and Arsenal are hopeful of landing him on a temporary basis in January.

Newcastle are also keen on signing him, but they could be blocked from doing so with a fresh Premier League rule being placed.

The Premier League are prepared to block loan deals between clubs under the same entity. Newcastle and Al-Hilal are owned by PIF.