Fabian Ruiz is set to commit his future to Napoli until the summer of 2025 with the reported Liverpool target on the verge of agreeing a new £90,000-a-week contract at the Stadio San Paolo, according to AS.
While absolutely no one is claiming that the Premier League champions are amongst the biggest victims of a global health disaster, Liverpool’s transfer plans have still been severely affected by a financial crisis of unprecedented proportions.
Back in March, the Merseyside giants were being linked with a whole host of attacking superstars, from Jadon Sancho to Kylian Mbappe, Timo Werner to Kai Havertz.
According to the Express, meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp was hoping to snatch a Spanish international from under the noses of Real Madrid and Barcelona with a £74 million price-tag set to make Ruiz the most expensive midfielder in Liverpool’s history.
But that was then.
Now, with gate receipts disappearing and budgets slashed, you’d get better odds on Seamus Coleman swapping one side of Stanley Park for another than Ruiz bringing his languid left foot to Anfield.
AS point out that the former Real Betis playmaker has been priced out of a move to one of Europe’s bonafide superclubs and will instead sign a new, long-term deal with Napoli.
A hefty pay rise is some consolation, however, with Ruiz set to become the second-best paid player in Gennaro Gattuso’s squad by taking home around £4.5 million-a-year (£90k-a-week).
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
