Everton and Newcastle United are reportedly on alert as Napoli hold crunch talks with Fabian Ruiz over his future.
According to a report from Gonfialarete, Napoli are set for a critical month ahead as they look to tie down their star players to new contracts. While stars such as Kalidou Koulibaly have expressed the desire to remain at the club, the Serie A giants could have a hard time convincing Fabian Ruiz to prolong his stay in Naples.
Formerly of Real Betis, Ruiz’s current deal at Napoli expires at the end of next season. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is set to hold talks with the midfielder in the near future, but there is a strong pessimism from the player’s camp, especially amid interest from Newcastle United and Everton.
The report indicates both the Premier League clubs are prepared to offer Ruiz a fortune, which could convince the Spaniard to jump ship this summer. Napoli cannot afford to keep hold of the midfielder for long either, knowing they may lose the player on a free transfer in 2023.
It could serve as a major boost for a team like Everton. The Toffees are currently embroiled in a relegation fight, which has brought question marks over Frank Lampard’s future at the club. But the Toffees have shown a lot of ambition in the market so far, and in Ruiz, they could find themselves an excellent midfield talent.
The 26-year-old Spanish international can indeed replace Donny van de Beek, who is expected to return to Old Trafford in the summer. He can be an ideal alternative for Dele Alli as well, with the Englishman struggling with form and facing an uncertain future at Goodison Park.
Another club in contention to sign Fabian Ruiz are Newcastle United. The Magpies are desperate to bring in reinforcements in the midfield department, with coach Eddie Howe feeling the need for a bit of quality and experience to complement the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Joe Willock and Joelinton.
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Ruiz fits the bill well, having racked up 161 competitive appearances for Napoli. His technical prowess, coupled with his exposure to top-flight football could make him an ideal addition to the Newcastle midfield next season. But it remains to be seen whether or not the player himself fancies a move to St. James’ Park or Goodison Park, knowing he may receive opportunities from far bigger clubs in the summer.
