NAPLES, ITALY - MAY 23: Fabian Ruiz of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 23, 2021 in Naples, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Napoli Engaged in Contractual Standoff with Fabian Ruiz

Napoli and Fabian Ruiz are negotiating a new contract, as his current one expires in 2023. President Aurelio De Laurentiis recently indicated that his agents would reply to the offer in a couple of weeks. A negative outcome of the talks could lead to his departure.

According to Sky, the Partenopei proposed to add a year to the deal and insert a relatively low release clause. However, the parties are not close to coming to terms. They are not the same on the revised salary and further elements.

The midfielder would be made available on the transfer market absent an agreement. He has been routinely been linked to the top La Liga sides, although not recently. Alternatively, Fabian Ruiz could play out the final year of his contract with Napoli and depart on a free in 2023. He is coming off his most productive campaign in years. He tallied 7 goals and 5 assists in 38 appearances in 2021/2022.

Our Take on the Stalemate Between Fabian Ruiz and Napoli

It is a tricky spot for the Partenopei, since the 26-year-old, even though he is not the most consistent player, looked rejuvenated with Luciano Spalletti at the helm. Napoli has let Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens get close to the end of their pacts, with poor returns, and might do the same with Kalidou Koulibaly, but they are older than Fabian Ruiz. They should make an effort to keep him. Or, eventually, sell him because they would miss out on a sizeable fee if they lost him for nothing.