Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport report that Newcastle are ‘leading the race’ for Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz alongside Premier League rivals Arsenal.
With the 26-year-old entering the final 12 months of his contract in Naples, the piece claims that Ruiz is now available for just £26m.
Last season, the Spaniard netted seven times and assisted four in 32 appearances in a successful campaign as the Serie A giants qualified for the Champions League behind Inter and AC Milan.
He is a 6ft 2′ deep-lying playmaker and someone we have been linked with in the past, with it reported back in January that we had a £42m bid turned down by the Italians.
Both Arsenal and Newcastle are now considered the frontrunners for the Spanish international, who signed from Real Betis four years ago and since developed into a top class midfielder.
Despite our midfield not exactly being an area of priority at the moment – a striker, centre-back and winger are said to higher on the list – a cut-price deal for a player of his calibre could prove too good to turn down, providing we really have reignited our interest!
Hell if we get every player were linked with , we’ll have a team in every league ?????
davep(Quote)