Napoli have reportedly lowered the asking price of Fabian Ruiz to €30 million, with the midfielder on the radars of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City.
According to Fichajes, Napoli have decided to reduce their valuation of midfield mainstay Fabian Ruiz to €30 million as he enters the final year of his contract. Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City are among the clubs showing an interest in signing the Spanish international this summer.
Ruiz joined Napoli from Real Betis in the summer of 2018 for a sum of €25 million and has enjoyed a successful stint in Italy. One of the most reliable operators in Serie A, the 26-year-old has been key to the Partenopei’s rise as a top-four challenger in the past few seasons, impressing with his guile and vision from the middle of the park.
To date, Ruiz has made 166 appearances for Napoli, bagging 22 goals and 15 assists. The Spanish international enjoyed a fairly productive 2021/22 campaign as he notched up a return of seven goals and five assists from 38 games for Luciano Spalletti’s side. However, with him entering the final year of his contract, Ruiz has decided not to renew, forcing Napoli to consider his sale.
The Partenopei had initially slapped a price tag of €50 million on their prized midfielder. However, they have decided to lower that valuation to €30 million as they look to make a sale this summer instead of losing him for nothing in 2023. This development could alert his suitors, with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City heavily linked.
Barcelona are on the verge of signing Franck Kessie on a free transfer this summer to bolster their already-strong midfield unit. However, Frenkie de Jong continues to be linked with Manchester United, while Riqui Puig is also out of favour and looks set to be moved on. It could create a vacancy in the centre of the park for Barcelona.
A move for Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva has been speculated. But the Cityzens have no intention to sell the Portuguese and have slapped a massive €100 million price tag on him to price Barcelona out of a move. In such a case, Ruiz, at €30 million, can be a more realistic target for the Blaugrana.
Real Madrid have also been heavily linked with a move to Ruiz in the recent past. However, following the contract extension of Luka Modric and the signing of Aurelien Tchouameni, Los Blancos had reportedly decided to wait until next year to sign Ruiz on a free transfer. But with Toni Kroos refusing to sign a new deal and Dani Ceballos headed for the exit doors, a move could be back on, especially at a discounted price.
As for Manchester City, Ruiz is being seen as a possible replacement for Ilkay Gundogan, who could be sold this summer. The Premier League champions should have no issue meeting the valuation slapped by Napoli should they decide to pursue the Spanish international with more fervour.
It remains to be seen if any of the interested clubs launch a move for Ruiz this summer or decide to wait it out till next year to swoop him away on a Bosman deal.
