Arsenal begin negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain to sign £18.5m midfielder

Arsenal have initiated talks with Paris Saint-Germain to sign Spanish midfielder Fabian Ruiz, Soccernet.football reports.

The Gunners are looking to strengthen their squad and are close to finalizing a €50 million (£42.1m) deal for Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori.

In addition to bolstering their defence, Arsenal are also in the market for a new central midfielder and an attacking player.

According to Duncan Castles, Arsenal have targeted Ruiz following his impressive performances for Spain at Euro 2024.

“Arsenal have initiated discussions with Paris Saint-Germain for Spain international midfielder Fabian Ruiz,” Castles said on The TransfersPodcast.

“The discussions are dependent, I’m told, on Arsenal moving a player out from midfield. It’s likely that if they are to come to an agreement with PSG on a transfer fee, it will be structured similarly to the deal they used to bring David Raya from Brentford last summer, with a loan and an obligation to buy a year later.”

Ruiz, who joined PSG from Napoli for an initial €21.5m (£18.5m) fee in August 2022, has found it challenging to secure a consistent role in the French club’s midfield.

He started 21 Ligue 1 games in his first season and just 14 matches under Luis Enrique last season. Despite his club struggles, Ruiz made a significant impact for Spain at Euro 2024, scoring two goals and providing two assists.

When asked about his future, Ruiz told Le Parisien: “I know that my name comes up in every transfer window. But I am good in Paris. I still have three years left on my contract and I still have lots of objectives to reach with PSG.”