Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur have received a blow in their quest to sign Ruben Neves.

That is according to The Athletic, which has reported Neves’s plan in the January transfer window.

So, what has been reported about Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal target Ruben Neves? Let’s take a look.

Well, according to a report in The Athletic on Tuesday morning, Ruben Neves will not leave Al Hilal in the January transfer window.

The report from journalist David Ornstein has noted that Newcastle United are interested in signing Neves as a potential replacement for the banned Sandro Tonali.

Ornstein has claimed that “the firm anticipation is that Neves will remain with Al Hilal until at least the end of the season”.

This will come as a blow to Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Both the Gunners and Spurs have been linked with Neves, who joined Al Hilal from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2023.

Sport reported last week that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta personally wants Neves at the Emirates Stadium.

TEAMtalk has claimed interest in the 26-year-old Portugal international defensive midfielder from Tottenham.

Ruben Neves to Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur was always unlikely

In my opinion, it was always unlikely that Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur would be able to sign Ruben Neves in the January transfer window.

After all, Al Hilal signed Neves for £47 million only in the summer of 2023. Why would the Saudi Pro League club offload one of their best players in January 2024, especially on loan? It made no sense whatsoever

Of course, every footballer has their price, and even for rich clubs in Saudi Arabia, a massive offer for one of their players could be hard to turn down.

But, it is hard to see Arsenal or Tottenham offering anywhere near what Al Hilal would want for the 26-year-old, described as “a top, top player who is “sensational” by former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville