Barcelona manager Xavi has reportedly requested the club to launch the offensive for 25-year-old Spanish international Fabian Ruiz.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Xavi wants Barcelona to sign Fabian Ruiz from Napoli at the earliest possible opportunity. The Spanish international is set to enter the final 18 months of his Napoli contract at the turn of the year.
Fabian Ruiz joined Napoli from Real Betis in July 2018 and has since been a pivotal figure for the Serie A giants.It is particularly in the ongoing campaign that the 25-year-old has made a major impact for the Partenopei, who have been the pace-setters in the Italian top-flight.
To date, Ruiz has made 146 appearances for Napoli, chipping in with 20 goals and 13 assists in the process. However, after losing his place in the Spanish national side, the player is determined to be in the 2022 FIFA World Cup squad. As a result, he could seek a move away from Napoli next summer, with Barcelona keen on signing him.
The Catalan giants have been linked with Ruiz on several occasions previously, but next summer could be their best opportunity to land the 25-year-old on the cheap. Barcelona’s interest in Ruiz is well-founded, despite the advent of Gavi and Nico Gonzalez this season.
While the youngsters have taken their chances, Barcelona need not look too far to know that overworking teenage footballers can also be detrimental, as seen from Pedri’s example this season. Hence, it behoves the Blaugrana to sign an experienced midfielder who can come in and hit the ground running.
To that end, midfielders like Denis Zakaria, Franck Kessie and Boubacar Kamara have been linked with Barcelona. However, Ruiz can add a different dimension to the Barcelona midfield with his ability to play as a deep-lying playmaker and a no. 8. That is perhaps why Xavi is keen on landing the Spanish international.
As a result, the Barcelona manager has requested the club to launch the offensive for Ruiz, who has also recently been linked with Manchester United. There is also a sense that regularly featuring at Barcelona could help the 25-year-old reclaim his place in the Spanish national side, and it remains to be seen if the Blaugrana can land him in one of the two coming transfer windows.
