da aviator aposta： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
da imperador bet： The Guardian reports that Napoli star Fabian Ruiz is wanted by Manchester City and the club are set to battle for his signature with Barcelona and Real Madrid.
What’s the word?
Ruiz has been making a lot of headlines in recent seasons with some excellent performances in the Champions League and in Italy. The 23-year-old has one goal and one assist so far and has averaged a rating of 7.42 in Serie A this season.
The Spaniard has five caps for his country now and appears to be establishing himself as one of Europe’s most coveted talents. In the report, it states that City sent scouts out to watch Ruiz in their 3-2 win over Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League.
In 2018, Napoli paid the buyout clause for the then-Real Betis man, which The Guardian states was worth €30m (£25.5m). However, in the report, it is explained that Napoli’s chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis said last week: “I paid €30m for Fabián and he’s a fantastic player. If some of the European top clubs were to offer €180m we can start talking about selling him.”
As City and two La Liga giants circle it’s easy to see why Laurentiis thinks he has a treasure chest in his possession, but it’s not only Europe’s super clubs who can see the potential of Ruiz.
Sergio Busquets is one of the most revered midfield anchors of his generation, and if anyone was in a position to analyse the potential of emerging central midfield players then it’s certainly him.
While speaking about Ruiz in the same breath as Frenkie de Jong, the Barcelona icon said, per Daily Mail: “Both Fabian and De Jong have a great deal of quality,” said Busquets.
“Perhaps Frenkie still needs to adapt fully to the Barcelona style of play, but both represent the present and the future.
“I am sure they will become the best in the world in their respective roles.”
Pep must consider Foden
It has been known for a few months now that David Silva will be departing the Etihad at the end of the season, and Pep Guardiola may be looking for a replacement as a result.
With the Spaniard leaving huge boots to fill, Phil Foden might not come into the playmaker role on a permanent basis right away, as Guardiola bleeds him in slowly. However, signing Ruiz could prove to be a big problem for Foden and directly impact the speed at which he stamps his mark on the starting XI.
There is no doubt that the City boss adores the teenager and wants to see him at the Etihad for years to come. After all, Guardiola has labelled him the “most talented player he has ever seen”, which is unparalleled praise to receive from a man who has managed dozens of superstars in his illustrious career.
But the signing of Ruiz may mean that the 19-year-old finds even less game time, with his arrival providing Guardiola with a more experienced option to trust in centre midfield.
The Napoli man is known for his nimble nature, while he is also left-footed and possesses similar playmaking qualities to Foden. He is more of a deep-lying player by nature, but he also possesses the tendency to burst forward and influence the game in the final third, as his return of five goals and four assists in Serie A last season proves.
Should City sign the ex-Betis man, Foden will be left facing a similar scenario to the one he is currently in, one that renders him on the fringes of the first team squad and struggling for regular opportunities.