Liverpool are plotting a move for Napoli midfield ace Fabian Ruiz, as per reports.
The Premier League table-toppers were eager to bring in Real Madrid midfielder Isco Alarcon to Merseyside, but the two clubs have not been able to come to an agreement.
According to El Desmarque, via Daily Mail, Jurgen Klopp’s side launched a £47million pound bid for the Spanish international. But Zinedine Zidane’s side are looking for a bigger fee, which has forced the Reds into looking at Ruiz instead.
There is also a good chance that Ruiz might leave Naples, because of a fall-out with Napoli’s chairman Aurelio de Laurentiis.
Laurentiis reportedly arranged for a training camp, which many players decided to give a miss. The chairman hence imposed a significant fine on the players, causing an internal rift.
Fabian Ruiz: How will he fit in at Liverpool?
Though Ruiz might push for a move to England, things won’t be that easy. His contract runs out in June of 2023, hence Laurentiis is almost certain to ask for a hefty transfer fee.
Ruiz might deserve a big price tag, but the question lies in how influential he will be for the Reds? Jurgen Klopp has a pretty solid playing XI at the moment, and it looks almost irreplaceable. But the German still feels that he needs to add an attacking midfielder, which for him is a “weak point”.
Liverpool play a system that doesn’t require an attacking midfielder. They play a 4-3-3 formation, where Fabinho sits at the centre of the park. He is more of a defensive cover, and protects the centre-backs.
Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum play more advanced or box to box roles, while the two full-backs Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold engage in attack, almost acting as wingers.
Though Ruiz is a central midfielder, he is known for his attacking abilities and not for his influence in defence. Hence, he will be ineffective as a defensive screen.
Klopp can play him on Fabinho’s left, as Ruiz is equally comfortable on that side. Wijnaldum, however has shown the work-rate and technical quality on a consistent basis, so it remains to be seen who Ruiz will replace.
Considering that both Wijnaldum and Henderson are 29, Liverpool do need younger replacements, and that’s where Ruiz could come in. He might not get into the team straight away, but he would be a more long-term replacement considering he is just 23.