According to the reports from Mundo Deportivo, Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz has stalled contract talks with his club due to the internal crisis at the Serie A outfit. As a result, Barcelona are set to pounce on him soon. Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City have also been linked with the Spanish midfielder.
Earlier it was reported by the Guardian that Manchester City had sent scouts to see the midfielder in action in the Champions League tie against Salzburg which Napoli won 3-2. Ruiz moved to Napoli in 2018 from Real Betis, and he has emerged as the mainstay of his side.
It remains to be seen now how keen Manchester City are for the midfielder with Barcelona set to move in for him soon. Napoli were reportedly looking to get Ruiz on a new contract which would have put his release clause beyond the €100m mark. But now there is no official price for the midfielder.
Napoli’s chairman, Aurelio De Laurentiis though had indicated earlier that the midfielder wouldn’t leave the club for cheap under any circumstances.
What can Ruiz bring to the Etihad?
The 23-year-old is known for his impressive ball control skills, and his ability to wade out of tight spaces on the pitch. He hardly gets dispossessed in midfield, and it is understandable why a club like Manchester City would be interested in him as their core philosophy is about keeping the possession. Given the way Guardiola likes to set his team up, Ruiz will be an ideal fit in the middle.
He also has the vision to produce defence-splitting passes which will come in very handy against teams that like to sit back and defend in numbers. On paper, Ruiz looks like a top signing.
Should Guardiola go for him?
The Citizens will lose David Silva after this season, and a midfield spot is going to be vacated. However, Phil Foden is being seen as a natural successor for that role, and it will be highly surprising to see the club splash millions on a midfielder instead of giving Foden a more prominent role in the first team.
Ruiz will be a good signing, but we feel that the Citizens could be a bit hesitant to go for him given his price tag. With Barcelona already looking to make a move, the English side needs to come to a decision soon whether they would want the Spanish midfielder or not. We believe that Foden should be given a proper go in the first team next season before the club decides to spend millions on a midfielder.
