Fabian Ruiz is one of the most exciting midfielders in Europe (Getty Images)
According to Fichajes (h/t Liverpool Echo), Liverpool are targeting a move for Fabian Ruiz next summer after his impressive performances at Napoli. The midfielder has impressed for the Serie A club this season but recently suffered an injury, which could be a worry for the Italian outfit.
A product of the Real Betis academy, Ruiz moved through the ranks of the Spanish club and ended up making 59 appearances for the senior team. He eventually made the move to Napoli in 2018. However, after just three years at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, the Spaniard is being targeted by a host of clubs.
Could he leave Italy any time soon? And should Jurgen Klopp be targeting him as a potential signing?
In the last three seasons, the 25-year-old has racked up 146 appearances and might just hit 150 by the end of the current campaign. In the process, he has also scored 20 times and assisted 13 more goals. The midfielder has flourished under Luciano Spalleti this season. An able operator on the ball, the dynamic midfielder has found the net 5 times in the league already this season, which highlights that he also has goals to his game.
The Italian club is in a three-way title race and Ruiz would be hoping to lift his maiden Serie A title this season. However, several clubs are already lining up a move for the Spanish international, including Liverpool. The Reds have identified him as an ideal candidate to play a role in their midfield at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp has done a terrific job at Merseyside and is continuing to do so. His forwards are firing on all fronts and his defence looks resolute again. However, Gini Wijnaldum departed in the summer and the club failed to sign a replacement. Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain shall be out of their respective contracts in 2023.
Additionally, James Milner is already in the final year of his deal. Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara have had fitness issues while Harvey Elliot and Curtis Jones are relatively young to start week-in and week-out. They have both also played out wide during the early years of their career as well. Thus, when all of these factors are taken into play, the potential signing of Ruiz makes sense.
The Spaniard is an able goal contributor from midfield and given his physique, has the capability of being a combative player in the heart of a team’s midfield. The 54-year-old manager could leave Liverpool once his contract expires in 2024 and he would want to win some more titles before that. Signing Ruiz would surely help him in that regard and give their side a base to build upon for the future.
The midfielder has been incredible for the Italian club and has starred for Spain as well. Thus, his stock is certainly rising and Liverpool are not the only club looking to land his signature. Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are also eager on signing the 25-year-old in the coming transfer windows.
Both clubs have a fair chance of convincing the player. They are historically massive establishments and offer him the prospect of a return to his home country. But it is hard to argue that either of them has a project that is as exciting as Liverpool’s- at least until the Reds have Klopp.
The most important aspect of signing Ruiz would be his age profile. Henderson is 30, Thiago is 31, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is 28 while James Milner is in the twilight of his career at 35. Ruiz, at 25, could offer a number of years of service to the Merseysiders and could ensure a smooth transition in the middle of the park once one of Liverpool’s trusted midfielders depart, whenever that is in the future.
His ability to play as a number 6 also gives much-needed backup and competition to Fabinho. But with other teams interested in him, Klopp and co would have to move and fast and be decisive with their interest in their player.
