Liverpool and Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Spanish playmaker Fabian Ruiz from Serie A heavyweights Napoli.
As per a report from the Daily Mail, reigning European champions Liverpool are monitoring Napoli and Spain midfielder Fabian Ruiz, who is also on the radars of La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid.
Ruiz, a product of the Real Betis youth academy, moved to Italy in the summer of 2018, joining Napoli for £26.7 million and has since become an integral member of Carlo Ancelotti’s team. The 23-year-old featured 40 times across all competitions in his debut campaign, scoring 7 goals and assisting three more and has started all four of Napoli’s games in the new season.
A versatile left-footed midfielder, Ruiz broke into the Spain national team in June earlier this year and has gone on to make three appearances for La Roja so far. His rapid rise over the past year has seen him attract a lot of admirers, with Liverpool and Real Madrid leading the line.
Liverpool have seen Ruiz from close quarters, given that the Spaniard started in both of Napoli’s Champions League group games against the Reds last season and was part of the team that defeated them on Tuesday night. And the report claims that Liverpool manager has been left heavily impressed by the 23-year-old’s abilities.
James Milner will be 34 years old by the time the next season comes around, while question marks remain over the future of Adam Lallana, who has struggled for game time in the past year. And bringing in Ruiz would certainly add more quality to the Liverpool midfield department.
However, Liverpool will still have to battle Real Madrid if they want to sign Ruiz next summer. The Merengues are keen on adding another creative presence to their midfield department, as was witnessed by their relentless pursuit of Manchester United star Paul Pogba and Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek this past summer.
The report claims that Real Madrid were interested in Ruiz as well and had made an offer worth £40 million for the 23-year-old in the recently concluded transfer window, only for Napoli to reject their bid. Los Blancos are monitoring the Spanish international and could launch another offer next summer.
Ruiz is contracted with Napoli till the summer of 2023 and the Partenopei are believed to be working on a new deal for the former Real Betis man in a bid to thwart the overtures from his suitors. It will be interesting to see if either of Liverpool or Real Madrid do decide to act on their interest in the midfielder next summer and make a move to sign him.
