Real Madrid step up their interest in Fabián Ruiz | OneFootball

Napoli midfielder Fabián Ruiz is top of Real Madrid’s summer transfer wish-list.

That’s according to Spanish outlet, who report that not only are Madrid very keen to sign Ruiz but that he would prefer a move to the Bernabeu over the likes of Barcelona, Atlético or Manchester City.

They claim Los Blancos actually wanted to sign the 23-year-old last summer but the player was happy to spend one more season in Naples, and Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis was unwilling to negotiate anyway.

But the LaLiga giants are understood to have made contact with the former Real Betis player again in October and though Napoli are hoping to tie him down to a new contract, he is yet to sign anything.

Ruiz’s current deal is set to expire in 2023 and Napoli want to offer him a new one with a hefty release clause.

But Madrid have reportedly made it clear that they won’t pay over the odds for the player, and Ruiz is unwilling to sign a contract with a release clause higher than €100m.

Carlo Ancelotti’s departure from Stadio San Paolo is said to have made Ruiz’s mind up about leaving at the end of the season but Napoli could demand as much as €180m for his signature.

It will be interesting to see how this one plays out.