Fabian Ruiz could become the latest senior first-team star to leave Napoli this summer after Paris Saint-Germain joined the race to sign him. According to Calciomercato, Les Parisiens are lining up their opening bid for the Spaniard as Aurelio De Laurentiis sets the midfielder’s price tag.
Aware that Ruiz entertains the prospect of following in the footsteps of Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne and Kalidou Kouliably, De Laurentiis has decided to sell him in the coming weeks. Despite the club’s utmost attempt to commit their long-serving playmaker to a new deal, the break-up looks to be the likeliest scenario.
Ruiz has turned down every approach from Napoli to extend his contract. Unsatisfied with his team’s inability to challenge for the titles, the ex-Real Betis man is aiming to move on to new pastures. But anyone that may want to take him away from southern Italy will have to fork out around €30m.
That is the price Napoli chief De Laurentiis deems acceptable. He has no interest in allowing Ruiz to leave on a free transfer next summer. Though his request may sound excessive to someone, PSG would have no problem matching it if they want to.
New boss Christophe Galtier has already reinforced his midfield options this summer. Skillful midfielder Vitinha arrived from Porto earlier in the summer, while long-term Milan target Renato Sanches penned a multi-year contract recently.
But the former Lille manager looks to add another layer of quality to his engine room. To make Ruiz his new deep-lying playmaker, Galtier will have to overcome stiff competition from Real Madrid.