Spanish outlet AS today features a piece with an update on the situation of Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz. Focused on Barcelona’s interest, the report says he’s been followed by the Catalan side ‘for years’.
Their piece, however, can’t ignore that the player is followed by many other clubs, and that’s where Newcastle United get a mention.
AS writes that the ‘most important’ offer Ruiz received in the past few months was from the Magpies, who tried to sign him in the January transfer window.
They claim the player ‘never considered’ that bid, both because of his will of staying at Napoli until the end of the season, and for the chance of having ‘more prestigious’ offers in the summer.
That’s where Barcelona could come in, even though they’d struggle to match the price asked by Napoli, who had been demanding €60m for his sale. That price was put at €40m in Italy today, but Barca would still be alarmed by that, especially because they don’t really need a midfielder.
Ruiz’s contract expires in 2023, and that’s why the Serie A side are expected to sell him this summer. There have been ‘no contacts’ for his renewal, and his club don’t want to lose him for free next year.
Newcastle should get another chance of landing him in the coming weeks, and to convince the player of at least considering their offer, the Magpies should probably show that their situation has completely changed since January.
