Newcastle United plotting loan move for Ruben Neves after Sandro Tonali's betting suspension

Newcastle are looking to find alternatives for Tonali who is banned for 10 months

Newcastle United are hoping to surprise everyone by acquiring Ruben Neves on loan, following Sandro Tonali's ten-month ban for breaching betting rules.

Tonali, a 23-year-old gambling addict, acknowledged making wagers while representing Brescia and AC Milan. He will also finish a treatment programme.

Eddie Howe's Toon are beginning to make arrangements for a January replacement, and Kalvin Phillips, a Manchester City outcast, and Al-Hilal midfielder Neves are also being considered.

The 26-year-old Portuguese talent Neves merely moved from Wolves to the Saudi Arabian team in the summer.

However, the Saudi Public Investment Fund owns both Al-Hilal and Newcastle, and the Magpies are considering a loan move in order to make up for losing their star summer acquisition, which cost £55 million, until the start of the following campaign.

And since Tonali won't be able to play until late August, they might try to deduct some of his pay.

Due to the Azzurri international's confession of wrongdoing and assistance with the Italian FA inquiry, his potential three-year ban was lessened.

Given that Milan only sold them the midfield player four months prior to the Italian betting scandal erupting, Toon are also weighing their legal possibilities.

But when his solicitors worked out a plea deal, Tonali WILL be allowed to practise with Howe's first team and participate in friendly matches behind closed doors while serving his suspension.

Tonali, who received a penalty of £17,000, will attend 16 speeches at amateur clubs and charities that support those suffering from addiction to gambling in his own country as part of his recovery.

The Italians' betting investigation also named Nicolo Fagioli of Juventus and Nicolo Zaniolo of Aston Villa.

Zaniolo, 24, has assisted police in conducting a probe after claiming he made any bets on football while Fagioli was recently banished for seven months. All of that comes after the FA banned Brentford forward Ivan Toney for eight months in May of last year.