- 4 hours ago
EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal open transfer talks to sign Euro 2024 star Fabian Ruiz
Arsenal have initiated discussions with Paris Saint-Germain for Spain international midfielder Fabian Ruiz, The Transfers Podcast can reveal.
Ruiz, 28, was among the best players at Euro 2024 - scoring twice, making two assists and being named in the UEFA team of the tournament as Spain won a record fourth title.
He has however endured a difficult time at club level since joining from Napoli in August 2022 for an initial €21.5 million, signing a contract until 2027.
READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024: All the Done Deals
Neither of the coaches he has worked under at PSG have used him as a consistent first choice.
Last season with Luis Enrique, he started just 21 of their Ligue 1 and Champions League matches, but followed that season up with exceptional performances in the European Championship.
"For someone a Premier League club are looking at, he won more balls than anyone else at the tournament and won twice as many in the final third of the pitch as any other player,” said Duncan Castles on The Transfers Podcast.
“So you've got that pressing ability, which is fundamental to the way [Mikel] Arteta plays. He passes the ball accurately, beats opponents one on one. In many ways, he looks like an obvious fit to that Arsenal system.”
Ruiz to Arsenal only possible under certain conditions
Discussions are dependent on Arsenal moving a midfield player out.
It is possible that if they come to an agreement with PSG on a transfer fee the deal will be structured in the same way as the one they used to bring David Raya from Brentford - a loan with an obligation to buy a year later.
Ruiz is a product of the Real Betis youth system and moved to Napoli in 2018. He won a Coppa Italia with the Naples side before transferring to PSG.
At the Parc des Princes, Ruiz has played his part in two Ligue 1 title wins and also boasts a Coupe de France.
Euro 2024 provided his second senior international medal, having starred as Luis de la Fuente’s side won the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League.
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