Just a few days ago, we were told by the Italian media that Pep Guardiola had not forgotten about Fabián Ruiz.
The midfielder was a Manchester City target before his move to Napoli, back when he was still at Real Betis, and rumours continued to send him to the Etihad even after his transfer to the south of Italy, with the manager considering him an ‘absolute prospect’.
They then went quiet, but with the Serie A side considering a number of sales to balance the books this summer and reduce the wage bill, the Spaniard could be a casualty, especially if he decides he wants to leave.
That’s according to Gazzetta dello Sport, who explain that a number of Spanish sides are still after him, namely the two big ones in Barcelona and Real Madrid.
It’s explained that ‘theoretically, Napoli could force him to stay, but it remains to be understood to what extent the player would be happy’ with that scenario.
Rejecting around €60m or so in the past from the aforementioned two, Aurelio De Laurentiis could be a bit more lenient in the coming summer, but not by much.
The Italian newspaper reckon that a fee of at least €50m could be enough to sit people around a table and hash out a deal, but he ‘will not sell him for less’.
That’s a lot of money, especially in Covid-19 times, but with a midfield that could do with some tweaking here and there, it could be an opportunity Manchester City, and more importantly Pep Guardiola, might refuse to pass up on.
