Newcastle United are lining up a move for Real Betis midfielder Fabian Ruiz. According to recent reports in the English media, there are a whole host of clubs chasing the La Liga star, which include the Magpies as well as Arsenal and Barcelona. It is understood that the 21-year-old is currently under contract at Betis until the summer of 2020.
A source in the Spanish press has claimed that he has a release clause of £13m in his current contract with the La Liga trying to tie him up on a new long-term deal in order increase his release clause. Hence, any of his potential suitors will need to move in quickly if they are to secure his services this month.
The trio of West Ham United, Everton and Chelsea are also monitoring his progress in La Liga. Fabian Ruiz has put in some sensational performances in Spanish football this season, which has caught the eyes of so many clubs from all across Europe. He has scored two goals and provided two assists in 17 matches for Real Betis in all competitions so far in this campaign.
Newcastle United are currently sitting in 15th place in the Premier League standings with a tally of 23 points after Gameweek 24. Rafael Benitez’s side are in real danger of getting relegated at the end of the season. The Spanish manager needs to recruit cleverly in this transfer period to give his players the best possible chance of avoiding the drop this season. The potential addition of Ruiz to their midfield will undoubtedly bolster his options going into the second half of the campaign.
The 21-year-old is highly versatile and can operate in a number of positions across the midfield. He can play in the number 10 position or on the left flank and can also be deployed as a deep-lying midfielder at the centre of the park. Although he has a wealth of experience in Spanish football, he is still untested in the Premier League. Thus, it might take him some time to adjust his game to the high intensity of English football.
His possible arrival at Tyneside will be a gamble but it might be a risk well worth taking. Ruiz has immense potential, which Newcastle could look to utilise for the coming years. It remains to be seen whether the Tyneside club are successful in their attempts to land the La Liga starlet’s signature before the transfer window comes to a close at the end of this month.
