Real Madrid hold talks with Napoli over Man Utd transfer target Fabian Ruiz with Man City also interested

Posted Thursday, November 07, 2019 by Thesun.co.uk

Real Madrid hold talks with Napoli over Man Utd transfer target Fabian Ruiz with Man City also interested
Fabian Ruiz of Napoli is being watched by Europe's top clubs Credit: AFP

REAL MADRID have begun discussions with Napoli over the transfer of midfielder Fabian Ruiz, despite interest from Man Utd and Man City.

According to ESPN, a meeting between the clubs took place in October and although it is still early on in proceedings, Ruiz favours a move to Madrid over Manchester for next season.

Spaniard Ruiz is thought to want to be closer to home and although Barcelona are also rumoured to be keen on him, reportedly director of football Eric Abidal was put off by one of Ruiz's goal celebrations.

Napoli signed Spanish international Ruiz, 23, from Real Betis for £25million in 2018 but chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis expects a massive return on his investment if Ruiz leaves before his contract ends in 2023.

He said: "If some of the European top clubs were to offer £155million we can start talking about selling him."

Ruiz's Napoli contract has no release clause and Mundo Deportivo reported Madrid were ready to offer £17million plus midfielder Isco, who they value in the region of £56million, to lure him to the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, Napoli are not interested in a swap deal and if Ruiz stars throughout the rest of the season Madrid can expect to pay up to £86million to secure his services, despite De Laurentiis' claims.

Last season Ruiz started 20 Serie A games for Napoli, registering five goals and four assists, bringing him to the attention of all Europe's biggest clubs.

Madrid have monitored Ruiz since he was a youth team player and saw him mature at Betis alongside Dani Ceballos, who Madrid signed in 2017.

Pep Guardiola is known to be an admirer of Ruiz who has been touted as a potential replacement for City legend David Silva, who is in his last year at the club.

Man Utd are also keeping tabs on the dynamic midfielder who could be a potential replacement for Paul Pogba if the Frenchman, who also has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, leaves Old Trafford.

Ruiz's assured displays in Serie A have led to speculation Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could sign him to bolster his struggling Man Utd side, who sit 18 points behind leaders Liverpool in tenth place in the Premier League.