Arsenal target £16m Fabian Ruiz transfer amid Barcelona and Real Madrid transfer links

Arsenal are running provisional checks on Spain midfielder Fabian Ruiz as they consider a move for him in the summer.

Representatives of the club are understood to have met with the Napoli star’s agents in a bid to understand his demands.

The 25-year-old is under contract with the Serie A side until June 2023, but has rejected the chance to sign a new deal with the club.

Napoli know, therefore, that this summer will be their last chance to get a decent sum for Fabian and they will entertain offers to help balance the books.

The Italian side have to sell at least three players to do that, and the fact Fabian has options in England and Spain, where Barcelona and Real Madrid are believed to be interested, makes him a likely candidate.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is a big fan of his compatriot and believes he would add the kind of qualities that he has been trying to instil in his group in north London.

Napoli want around £16million plus extras for Fabian, while the player is understood to be seeking a four-year deal.

He has been capped 15 times by Spain.