Napoli star Fabian Ruiz is not keen on making the move to West Ham United.
According to Calcio Napoli, Premier League side West Ham United have been dealt a major blow in their pursuit of Spanish midfielder Fabian Ruiz this summer.
David Moyes’s side have done well the last two seasons and will be set for a second successive season with European football on offer at the London Stadium. West Ham also made it to the semifinals of the UEFA Europa League last season, meaning they could theoretically do better provided they get it right in the summer transfer window.
Midfield reinforcements appear to be on the agenda, with the club keeping a keen eye on Ruiz. The Napoli star is one of Serie A’s leading players and, at 26, is entering the prime of his career. Primarily a central midfielder, Ruiz is capable of being deployed in an offensive or defensive role. The latter is particularly significant given the uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of Hammers skipper Declan Rice.
The English international rejected a contract extension earlier this year and has been linked with a move to some of the country’s top clubs. While he has agreed to stay put for the upcoming season, Rice’s future beyond 2023 remains uncertain. And should he choose to depart, it will leave a void in the Hammers’ midfield, something that cannot be left unaddressed.
Furthermore, West Ham lost Mark Noble to retirement while not opting to sign Alex Kral permanently. So, even though they have brought in Flynn Downes, another midfielder would be a welcome addition, making Ruiz a viable target.
Ruiz is a dynamic presence in the middle of the park and has a good passing range. His ability to make defence-splitting passes and runs could see him fit right into the Hammers’ midfield. A player with Champions League experience, Ruiz would be a world-class addition to Moyes’s side and will complement Tomas Soucek in the middle of the park.
However, the player is not keen to swap Naples for London, and a move at this point appears dead in the water. Napoli are open to selling their star man for at least €40 million, but the midfielder appears to have other ideas.
Securing Ruiz would be a steal for West Ham, and there are no two ways around it. But unless they can convince him that his future lies in London, the Hammers are better off looking elsewhere.
