Napoli midfield ace Fabian Ruiz yet to agree on a contract extension deal with the club. The Spanish midfielder’s future in Naples is under question, as he is being pursued by a lineup of European giants, including Real Madrid and Barcelona.
25-year-old Ruiz has one year left on his deal and currently shows no signs of committing his future to the Partenopei. Ruiz has never renewed his contract since moving from Real Betis in 2018, when he signed a five-year agreement. Contract negotiations have stalled between the club and the player, and an exit from San Paolo looks like the most likely outcome.
?| Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz wants to join Real Madrid. @Gazzetta_it #rmalive pic.twitter.com/pH9devhJDr
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) February 28, 2022
Amid his contract renewal fiasco, new suitors on the block threaten to upset the plans of the clubs closely linked to luring him away. According to latest reports by Corriere dello Sport journalist Antonio Giordano on Canal 8 (via TuttoNapoli), Manchester giants City and United have entered the race for the highly-rated midfield talent, alongside Arsenal.
The surprising mention is that of Manchester City, whose boss Pep Guardiola is said to be a fan of the center-half, who turns 26 in April. He was linked to the Cityzens couple of years ago, but a move never materialized, credit to Partenopei president Aurelio De Laurentiis demanding a three-digit release clause.
He is now valued at around €55m, according to transfermarkt, but Napoli will have no choice but to reduce their asking price given his contract expiration date nearing very soon. Among all high-profile players, Ruiz is the recipient of a lesser wage account, bagging in just €2.5m net per season.
Fabián Ruiz; a beautiful footballer with a beautiful left foot ??
You know what he's going to do, but stopping him is a whole different matter. pic.twitter.com/59kpTUBlFY
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 2, 2022
Other than the aforementioned clubs, Newcastle United are also in the picture. Nevertheless, his sights are reportedly set on return to his homeland, with Real Madrid touted as his next destination.
Fabian Ruiz has been an integral part of the Napoli outfit since joining four years ago. The Spaniard has 6 goals and 4 assists in 28 appearances for the club this season. He most recently scored a 94th minute winner against Lazio to march his side to the top of Serie A with 57 points, although Inter possess a game in hand