Arsenal begin talks to sign £16m midfielder after Mikel Arteta approval

Arsenal have begun talks to sign Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz, according to reports.

Mikel Arteta was keen for the Gunners to strengthen his midfield options in the January transfer window but the club ended up empty handed.

Ruiz has been a key figure in Napoli’s Serie A title push this season but will have just a year remaining on his contract this summer.

According to The Mirror, Arsenal have already held initial talks with Ruiz’s representatives to discuss a potential move to the Emirates Stadium at the end of the season.

The report claims that Arteta is ‘a big fan’ of Ruiz and believes the midfielder would improve his squad.

Napoli are understood to be open to selling the 25-year-old but are holding out for a £16 million fee.

Arsenal are also interested in signing Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, but could face competition from Manchester United.

Ruiz, meanwhile, has also attracted interest from Manchester United and Newcastle United.

Earlier this week, reports in Italy claimed that talks between Napoli and Ruiz over a new contract had broken down.

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