Newcastle United are reportedly closing in on their next January transfer in Lyon star Bruno Guimaraes, but AS note the Toon also tried to sign Napoli maestro Fabian Ruiz this month.
Ruiz is having one of his best seasons in a while at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium under Luciano Spalletti. The 25-year-old is delivering a constant key presence in the Azzurri engine room, and offering performances that would rival any other star Serie A midfielder.
Clubs from around Europe have kept tabs on Ruiz’s efforts in Naples during the first half of the campaign. He has long featured on the shortlists of some of the top sides, who note the 15-cap Spaniard’s recent growth. They also note his contract ends in the summer of 2023.
Napoli shelved plans to extend Ruiz’s deal in early 2020, and there are no signs discussions will resume soon. It is likely, then, that the midfielder leaves the Azzurri at the end of the current season. He has shown no appetite for securing a move during the winter market.
Newcastle tried for Napoli, Ruiz transfer before Lyon, Guimaraes deal
Newcastle tried to tempt Ruiz to leave Napoli in the January transfer window, though. Boss Eddie Howe has endlessly sought to strengthen his St James’ Park ranks in the mid-season sales. And it is likely that he will now add Brazil international Guimaraes in the coming days.
Reports by L’Equipe note Newcastle and Lyon are close to agreeing Guimaraes’ transfer in a deal worth €52m (£43m). The Toon will pay €42m (£35m) upfront, while €5m (£4m) of the add-ons are ‘quite easily attainable’. Dean Jones also reports he will earn £180k-a-week.
Newcastle’s biggest obstacle in their pursuit of a transfer for Ruiz before targeting Lyon’s Guimaraes was the Napoli midfielder’s wish to stay in Serie A until the end of the season.
Ruiz is focused on helping the Azzurri as they battle Inter and AC Milan for the Scudetto. He will then listen to offers in the summer, when all the top teams tracking the midfielder are expected to bid. He may yet also keep the Toon interested with his displays under Spalletti.
The Real Betis product has five goals and three assists in 18 Serie A games so far this term. He also assisted once in the Europa League group stage to help to a 2-2 draw at Leicester. Ruiz is firmly living up to the praise former Barcelona boss Quique Setien offered in 2020.
“I have a lot of affection for Fabian, he has had spectacular growth,” Setien said, via Goal. “I’m very happy for him, I hope that tomorrow he will not show all his virtues so we can stop him. I am happy with his goals; he is tremendously humble and a beautiful person.”
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