Manchester City scouting ‘next David Silva’

Per Daily Mail, Manchester City will scout star Napoli midfielder Fabián Ruiz in his Champions League match against Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday.

With 33-year old club captain David Silva departing the club at the end of the season, Manchester City are reportedly eyeing 23-year old Spanish international Fabián Ruiz to replace him.

The midfielder was named the Player of the Tournament in Spain’s U-21 European Championship victory and has broken into La Roja at senior level this year. Since moving to Serie A from Real Betis in 2018 for £25.8 million, he has established himself as one of world football’s most exciting creative talents.

Ruiz is often likened to David Silva, with incredible technical ability, visionary passing, and dribbling ability in tight spaces. Ruiz, like Silva, also has a wonderful left foot, but is a more imposing physical presence at 6’2″ tall.

Ruiz is already an incredible player with potential to develop into one of the world’s absolute best midfielders. However, outspoken Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis has recently come out and said that he would not sell Ruiz for less than £155 million, which would make him the second-most expensive player in history.

Serious doubts exist with that price tag for any player, especially if the Italian side are truly committed to such a hardline stance on a player who has not yet proven himself at the top level.

In addition, while the player would be a fantastic fit for Pep Guardiola’s system at City, the club has already found their Silva replacement in academy product Phil Foden.

"We didn’t give Foden a new contract by accident. He is the only player that can’t be sold under any circumstances. Not even for €500 million,” Guardiola told The Sun. “Phil’s going nowhere, Phil is City. We won’t be signing anyone else for that position.”"

Foden was handed an opportunity in City’s 5-1 victory over Atalanta at the Etihad Stadium and delivered on his promise, creating four ‘big chances’ in the game—no player has created more in a Champions League match since 2015.

Ruiz is without a shadow of a doubt a spectacular player. With Barcelona and Real Madrid also chasing the Spaniard’s signature, City are in good company.

City have much more pressing needs at other areas of the pitch, however. From the need to sign at least one more central defender, possibly replace Leroy Sané, and add depth around the squad, City do not need to spend nearly a world-record fee when they have a ready-made replacement in Foden.