Real Madrid face Barcelona competition for €35 million-rated PSG maestro | OneFootball

Barcelona are reportedly preparing to challenge Real Madrid in the race to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz, according to a report from SPORT.

This unexpected move comes as Barcelona look to strengthen their midfield, specifically targeting a new pivot. While the club has a few names in mind, Ruiz, valued at €35 million by Transfermarkt, has emerged as one of the top candidates they are considering.

At Real Madrid, the need for midfield reinforcement has become more pressing following the departure of Toni Kroos earlier in the season.

This situation has been further complicated by injuries to key players such as Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham, both of whom are crucial to Madrid’s midfield creativity.

Without them, Real Madrid have struggled to maintain the level of play they are accustomed to, particularly in terms of controlling possession and distributing the ball effectively across the pitch.

Real Madrid look at Ruiz as Kroos’ replacement

Fabian Ruiz is wanted by Barcelona and Real Madrid. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

As a result, Real Madrid have been actively exploring the market for a suitable replacement. Names like Manchester City’s Rodri and PSG’s Vitinha have been mentioned, but Ruiz has now moved to the forefront of their considerations.

Ruiz, who was signed by Carlo Ancelotti during his time at Napoli, possesses the qualities Madrid are searching for—agility, vision, and versatility in the midfield.

However, the potential transfer to Real Madrid is far from straightforward. The relationship between Real Madrid and PSG has been strained after Kylian Mbappe’s transfer, which could make negotiations difficult.

This tension between the clubs may give Barcelona an opportunity to swoop in and secure Ruiz’s signature, leaving Real Madrid to look elsewhere for midfield reinforcement.

In the coming weeks, it will be interesting to see how this situation develops, with both Spanish giants vying for the same player.

For Barcelona, securing a versatile midfielder like Ruiz could add much-needed depth and creativity, while for Real Madrid, missing out on such a player may complicate their efforts to rebuild their midfield after the loss of Kroos.