Barcelona and Real Madrid are reportedly set to wage battle in pursuit of Fabian Ruiz, but will not spend over €30 million to secure his services.
According to a report by Italian outlet Calciomercato, Fabian Ruiz will be the subject of an intense transfer battle in the summer transfer window. The Spanish international is being tailed by Real Madrid and Barcelona among other clubs, but the two La Liga heavyweights are not willing to pay over €30 million to land him.
Fabian Ruiz has progressed considerably since joining Napoli from Real Betis in the summer of 2018. Over the last three years, the Spaniard has grown to become one of the best midfielders on show in Serie A while also having established a foothold in his national side.
Till date, the 24-year-old has amassed 116 appearances for the Partenopei, even chipping in with 13 goals and 10 assists in those outings. His development has invariably captured the attention of a number of clubs across Europe, two of those being Barcelona and Real Madrid.
At Barcelona, Ronald Koeman currently has the likes of Sergio Busquets, Miralem Pjanic, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Philippe Coutinho at his disposal as midfield options, with Ilaix Moriba coming through the ranks this season, while Riqui Puig is an option as well. However, Puig has only been used sparingly, while Busquets and Pjanic are on the wrong side of 30.
In addition, Coutinho does not seem to have a future at Camp Nou and it has been reported that he could well be used as a sweetener in a deal to bag one of Barcelona’s midfield targets. In addition, Barcelona also continue to be linked with Georginio Wijnaldum, although Ruiz is also a viable target, as he is for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid’s interest in Ruiz also makes sense, considering Luka Modric is in the twilight of his career. Considering he will be 36 this year, conventional wisdom would suggest that he does not have many more years left at the top even if he continues to be one of Los Blancos’ best players. As a result, it is a prudent move to tail someone like Ruiz for a summer move.
The report suggests that Ruiz wishes to leave Napoli at the end of the ongoing season, with a return to Spain being mooted, although Inter Milan are hoping to prise him away to San Siro as well. Real Madrid and Barcelona, though, would hold the aces in addition to Atletico Madrid, although none of the three clubs are prepared to meet Napoli’s €50 million valuation of the Spaniard.
Instead, the three La Liga giants are only willing to pay up to €30 million to secure Ruiz’s services. What now remains to be seen is if Barcelona, Real Madrid or even Atletico Madrid are able to negotiate an acceptable transfer fee for the 24-year-old, or if they are forced to pay a sum higher than €30 million to land him.
