Newcastle United are unlikely to bring Cristiano Ronaldo in on a loan deal in the future following his recent move to Saudi Arabia, according to Luke Edwards.

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The Portuguese superstar left Manchester United in the latter stages of 2022 having found game time become few and far between under Erik ten Hag. He has since made the move to the Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr where he is believed to be earning around £200m per year.

However, with this move to the Middle East, rumours of a potential loan deal being available to return to the Premier League with a possible move to St. James' Park mooted if Newcastle are to qualify for the Champions League.

But reliable journalist Luke Edwards has now suggested this is not the case having checked the story out with his sources.

Speaking on the BBC Transfer Gossip Daily podcast, he said: "Newcastle, I don't see it. I've checked this out with sources at Newcastle and it's not beyond the realms of possibility because Newcastle United are owned by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia Football Club, this stuff can happen. But I think the brutal thing is, I don't think Eddie Howe would want him."

Not for Howe

Eddie Howe has begun to build something rather special on Tyneside since his arrival in the latter stages of 2021 and he has done so without any real superstars.

Bruno Guimaraes has established himself as a real talent at St. James' Park, however, he did not arrive as a mega-money signing from Lyon last January for around £37m.

And it appears as if, for now, Howe is content with not adding any huge egos to his side at risk of potentially disrupting the apple cart amid their relative success as they sit pretty up in third spot of the Premier League table.

In Ronaldo, Howe could add the Champions League's record goalscorer with the 37-year-old scoring 140 goals in the elite European competition.

However, with Ronaldo, Howe would also be taking on a huge ego who certainly disrupted United during the recent break with his blockbuster interview with Piers Morgan on the behind-the-scenes issues he's endured at Carrington.

And you do have to question how the Toon boss would handle a character like Ronaldo if the mooted move was pushed on Newcastle next season given the 45-year-old's past.

Howe's previous clubs managed consist of Bournemouth and Burnley meaning this stint on Tyneside is the first occasion in which he has managed players of potential Champions League calibre.

But Ronaldo would be at another level and you do have to question what effect he could have on this blossoming Newcastle side if he was to suddenly join if they are to earn themselves a spot in the Champions League.