“One to Watch” – Journalist Shares Update After Alleged Arsenal Talks to Sign £147,000-p/w Ace
CBS Sports reporter Jonathan Johnson has provided an update on Arsenal’s ongoing efforts to secure a new signing. Following the official announcement of Riccardo Calafiori’s transfer, the focus now shifts to other squad improvements that Edu Gaspar aims to address before the upcoming transfer deadline next month.
Reports suggest that Arsenal might be targeting a new midfielder in the near future, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding Thomas Partey’s situation. With Partey entering the final 10 months of his contract, his future at the Emirates Stadium is in question.
One potential target for Arsenal is Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino. Although the Gunners are interested, they face strong competition from Barcelona, who have reportedly made Merino a priority.
Despite some media outlets suggesting Arsenal as the current favourites, Barcelona remain a significant rival in the pursuit of the player (Mundo Deportivo).
Should a deal for the 28-year-old Merino fall through, Arsenal might consider Fabian Ruiz as an alternative.
Ruiz, who impressed at Euro 2024 with Spain, scored twice and provided two assists in six games for the eventual champions. The Paris-Saint Germain midfielder has recently been linked with a move away from the Parc des Princes.
Recent reports indicate that Arsenal have engaged in discussions with PSG regarding Ruiz, who earns approximately £147,000 per week.
Despite his standout performances at the Euros, Ruiz struggled to make a significant impact at the club level last season, making only 21 appearances in Ligue 1 under Luis Enrique.
Update Emerges After Alleged Arsenal Talks to Sign Ruiz
After Arsenal’s rumoured interest in signing Ruiz, French football expert and CBS Sports correspondent Johnson has provided an update. Johnson indicates that Arsenal haveb become interested in Ruiz following his impressive performances in the Euros. However, there is currently no urgent need for PSG to offload the midfielder.
“I think his situation is an interesting one to watch this summer,” said Johnson to CaughtOffside.
“He obviously had a really good tournament with Spain at Euro 2024 and ended up with a winners’ medal, while he’s also generally been considered an important player by Luis Enrique at PSG.
“In terms of what happens next, and in terms of the interest from Arsenal and other clubs who’ve sat up and taken notice after his very convincing performances with Spain. I think a move would depend on what kind of offer is put on the table to PSG.
| Ruiz vs Smith Rowe | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stats per 90 | Ruiz | Emile Smith Rowe |
| Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists | 0.25 | 0.56 |
| Actual Non-Penalty Goals + Assists | 0.40 | 0.19 |
| Progressive Passes | 6.24 | 6.36 |
| Shots on Target | 0.40 | 1.30 |
| Passing Accuracy | 89.3% | 88.1% |
| Passes into the Final Third | 4.90 | 3.86 |
| Key Passes | 1.44 | 1.36 |
| Passes into the Penalty Area | 1.29 | 2.95 |
| Crosses into the Penalty Area | 0.25 | 0.00 |
| Live Passes | 62.0 | 55.9 |
| Completed Through Balls | 0.25 | 0.00 |
| Tackles Won | 1.33 | 0.74 |
| Blocks | 0.89 | 0.68 |
| Clearances | 1.24 | 0.23 |
| Successful Take-Ons | 1.19 | 0.68 |
| Carries | 59.6 | 42.0 |
| Ball Recoveries | 6.34 | 5.00 |
| All Stats via FBref for the 23/24 Season | ||
“We know Joao Neves is expected to come in shortly, while Renato Sanches will most likely be moving out, and Xavi Simons’ future also seems to lie at least for the coming season in Leipzig, though we’ll see what happens long-term with that. PSG will probably wait and see if there is any offer put forward to the club and then move from there, but I don’t think there’s any real pressure to move Ruiz on.
“There might have been a time about a year ago, before Enrique came in, when it wasn’t a foregone conclusion that Ruiz would be a long-term fixture at PSG, but now I think his recent improvement in form and the fact that young players like Moscardo and Neves might need a bit of time to bed in might mean there is a need for someone like Ruiz.
“Let’s see what kind of offers arrive, if any, but I wouldn’t expect a concentrated effort to push Ruiz towards the Parc des Princes exit.”
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