Liverpool one of four contenders for Serie A midfielder

Matt Stead
during the Serie A match between Juventus and SSC Napoli at Allianz Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Turin, Italy.

Liverpool have emerged as one of four clubs who are interested in Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz.

Ruiz joined Napoli from Athletic Bilbao in summer 2018 for £26.6m, becoming one of the most expensive uncapped players in history before finally receiving international recognition in June.

The Spaniard is a key part of Carlo Ancelotti’s side in Naples, starting both Serie A games this season and 20 in a debut campaign where he also helped the club reach the Europa League quarter-finals.

Liverpool have been sufficiently impressed, according to Calciomercato, and will target the 23-year-old in the future.

Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are also named as interested parties, but Napoli ‘are keen to hold onto their star midfielder’.

Ruiz has a contract with the club until 2023 and thus Napoli, in control of the situation, ‘will not let the player go for cheap’ as he is ‘essential’.