Following Brighton & Hove Albion’s attempt to sign Abel Ruiz from Braga, the Portuguese media now brings the club’s new stance on the striker’s potential departure.
Newspaper Record today features a story claiming the Arsenalistas have now set a price for his sale, decided by president Antonio Salvador, who wants €20m to let the player go.
That now makes clear why Braga didn’t even negotiate with Brighton, and turned down the Seagulls’ first bid for the striker.
Even though the local media still doesn’t know exactly how much was put on the table, they say it was less than half of this price requested.
Ruiz is very well protected by a €45m release clause, and that’s one of the reasons why Braga ‘will not make it easy in the negotiations’.
Just like when Brighton made the offer, the local press is today back pointing out that the striker hasn’t been brilliant this season, as he only has two goals and one assist so far.
Still, he’s well known for his potential, as he’d been at Barcelona’s academy and was already called up for Spain’s first team.
The report seems to have no idea whether Brighton will come back for him or not, and considering how far they got from convincing Braga of accepting their move, it seems only a very improved offer would be worth the effort.
