Real Madrid are reportedly set to battle Barcelona for Real Betis starlet Fabian Ruiz, who has a release clause of €30 million embedded in his contract.
According to Spanish publication Don Balon, Barcelona are set to face competition in their pursuit of Fabian Ruiz. The 21-year-old Real Betis star has emerged as a target for Real Madrid as well, with reports stating that Los Blancos are ready to pay the €30 million release clause to land the midfielder ahead of their arch rivals.
Fabian Ruiz is another product of the proud Real Betis academy setup that has produced a fair bit of gems in the recent past. The midfielder endured a rather disappointing time during his half-season long loan at Elche and upon his return to the club for the 2017-18 season, has managed to establish himself as one of the first names on the Real Betis team sheet.
While his return of 2 goals and 7 assists in 25 league appearances could be chalked down as modest, it is his tenacity in the middle of the park combined with the ability to prop up when needed which has caught the imagination of not just the Betis fans but a few other clubs as well, who could move for the 21-year-old in the summer.
Barcelona and Real Madrid have been both linked with the midfielder.
For Barcelona, the plan is simple. The midfield is an area where they would need reinforcements come summer, with Andres Iniesta’s future still under a cloud while Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez have been far from impressive and consistent. Ruiz would come at a rather fair price of €30 million and could also aid the transition of the midfield in terms of taking over from the legend that is Iniesta.
But, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has some other plans. Perez is well aware of the interest of other clubs in Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, who could very well exit the club in the summer. Add to that his recent shift of transfer targets to a rather youthful player profile and Fabian Ruiz seems to fit the bill.
Ruiz could, if he does end up at Real Madrid, team up with Dani Ceballos, Marco Asensio and others; be the torchbearer for Real Madrid and usher them into a new era of Galacticos, this time one where a majority of them also end up on the La Furia team sheet – starkly similar to Barcelona’s domination within the Spanish national setup.
Real Betis will be powerless if either Real Madrid or Barcelona do end up paying the €30 million release clause for Ruiz. The decision is likely to be taken by the 21-year-old, who should be a regular at either club. Perhaps the way the early days of the summer transfer window pan out could help make up Ruiz’s mind.
