Real Madrid are reportedly considering a cut-price summer move for Fabian Ruiz, who is valued at around €15 million by Napoli.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Real Madrid have turned their attention back towards Fabian Ruiz. The Spanish international could arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu on a cut-price deal in next summer’s transfer window, with Napoli only likely to demand around €15 million for him.
Fabian Ruiz joined Napoli from Real Betis in the summer of 2018 and has since made significant progress in his career. A mainstay in the middle of the park for the Partenopei, the 25-year-old has established himself as one of the best midfielders on show in Serie A while also being a regular feature for the Spanish national side.
To date, Ruiz has made 137 appearances for Napoli while chipping in with 17 goals and 12 assists in the process. His swift progress at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium has not gone unnoticed either, with the Spanish international popping up on the radars of a number of top clubs across Europe. And one of his long-term suitors are Real Madrid.
The Merengues had been linked with Ruiz in the summer transfer window as well before they finally zeroed in on Eduardo Camavinga, who joined on a deadline day move from Stade Rennais. However, Camavinga’s arrival does not signal the end of Real Madrid’s endeavour to bolster their midfield.
Los Blancos are wary of the fact that the Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are all either already in the twilight of their respective careers or are approaching the final phase of their playing days. That is why Real Madrid have been actively laying down the succession plan for the trio, with Federico Valverde and Camavinga potentially being part of the long-term core of the first-team.
As far as Casemiro’s successor in particular is concerned, Youri Tielemans has been scouted as the potential long-term replacement. However, as per El Nacional, Ruiz is now being viewed as a successor for Casemiro, which is odd as he stylistically best resembles Modric instead.
However, Ruiz has been excelling in a deeper role this season, and the prospect of signing him on the cheap next summer is alluring. Indeed, the Spanish international will enter the final year of his deal with Napoli next summer, which would force them to demand just €15 million for him, which is quite an attractive price tag for Real Madrid.
What now remains to be seen is if the 25-year-old ends up arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu in a €15 million deal or if Real Madrid end up signing someone else, with the likes of Ilaix Moriba, Donny van de Beek and Paul Pogba also being linked with them recently.