Newcastle United

Newcastle United

Premier League • England

Newcastle transfer record will be broken as talks begin over signing of the ‘Gold of Naples’

Victor Osimhen and Fabian Ruiz of SSC Napoli during Serie Amatch v Inter Milan

Newcastle have positioned themselves at the front of the queue to sign exciting Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz in what will be a club-record summer deal, claim reports in Italy.

The January transfer window will go down as a success for the Magpies. With the club fighting for survival, a number of key investments has given them more than a fighting chance and proves PIF’s financial muscle.

Indeed, Eddie Howe’s side added Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes, Matt Targett and Dan Burn to their mix. Indeed, almost every area of their side now looks significantly stronger.

Assuming the Magpies stay up, then the 2022 summer window could prove a blockbusting affair on Tyneside.

To kick things off, Sven Botman, via his agent, has already teased about a potential move to St James’ Park.

However, bigger and better things are also in the works for Newcastle if reports in Italy are to be believed.

Indeed, as per il Corriere dello Sport, the Magpies are already making plans to snare Ruiz from Napoli.

In an article entitled ‘the Gold of Naples’, they claim Newcastle are engineering themselves to the front of the queue for the Spaniard.

January offer for Fabian Ruiz fails

They claim the Magpies launched a January bid for the midfielder worth £40m – an offer that Napoli knocked back.

However, with his deal now in its final 18 months, Napoli will likely be forced to sanction his sale this summer.

Fabian Ruiz Spain TEAMtalk

And while they claim Arsenal too are also keen, il Corriere claims Eddie Howe’s side have ‘gone straight to the heart of the discussion’.

And while his deal will, come the summer, have just a year left, Napoli are holding out for a bigger fee than the £40m they rejected in January.

Indeed, any such signing will seemingly cost Newcastle a club record fee, with Napoli seeking around £50m for the Spaniard.

At 25-year-old, Ruiz is approaching his peak, having scored five times and registering four assists in 25 appearances this season.

Micah Richards hails Newcastle transfer business

Micah Richards, meanwhile, reckons Newcastle’s transfer business in January deserves applause.

“I think they’ve done some really excellent signings,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Newcastle made the right signings for their cause

Newcastle made the right signings for their cause

They made the right signings to help them in their fight for this season.

“Trippier was a catalyst for everything, going from Atletico Madrid. He’s gone there and is playing really well.

“It always takes that one player to take that plunge doesn’t it?

“To be honest, I’ve not seen much of Guimaraes but, by all accounts (he’s a good player).

“Chris Wood was very shrewd. Taking him off someone who’s going to be fighting for relegation, as well.

“Dan Burn? He is very interesting because if Newcastle are going to play with the two, he is not the most mobile of centre-backs if I’m being totally honest.

“I think he’d be perfect in a three. And Targett, I agree, is a good player.

“So in terms of their (Newcastle’s) signings, I think they’ve done very well.

“I don’t think they’re at the same level as what Man City signed (in 2008) if I’m being totally honest. But to stay in the league to get a base to build on I think it’s looking good for Newcastle.”

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