Cassano feels Fabian Ruiz has been ‘unwatchable’ since Newcastle offered Napoli £40m

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Antonio Cassano has ripped into Fabian Ruiz on Bobo TV as the Napoli midfielder has been ‘unwatchable’ since Newcastle United reportedly targeted his transfer in the January sales.

The Spaniard was the star of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona engine room during the opening months of the season. But Ruiz has lost his sparkle since the turn of the year, with his creativity under Luciano Spalletti regressing from the heights that Eddie Howe admired.

He offered five goals and two assists as the conductor of the Azzurri midfield over the first 15 games of the Serie A season. Yet the 26-year-old has only fired home once and created a goal over his following 12 outings. He also has zero goals and one assist in six cup games.

Howe admired Ruiz’s early-season efforts with Napoli considerably as the gaffer sought to strengthen in his first transfer market as Newcastle boss. Corriere dello Sport reported the club offered £40m in January and are likely to return this summer with a host of rival bids.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Man City, Real Madrid and Barcelona are likewise among the members of his fan club. Ruiz has a strong pool of suitors as his contract ends in 2023, but cash is not king as Corriere dello Sport add Newcastle made him a huge offer.

The Seville native earns less than €2m-a-season (£32k-a/w) net in Naples, but snubbed the chance to triple his salary at St James’ Park. Now, he may hit the market for far less in the off-season, as the Mirror cite a £16m price tag amid talks between Arsenal and his agent.

Napoli star Fabian Ruiz is ‘unwatchable’ since Newcastle bid £40m, says Cassano

Ruiz will likely have his pick of elite clubs to leave Napoli for just £16m with the Newcastle target’s contract expiring next year. But his form since the club bid more than double that for Ruiz’s arrival in January has not impressed former Italy striker Cassano by any measure.

“Fabian Ruiz has been unwatchable for four months,” Cassano said, via TuttoMercatoWEB. “I have never liked him and he is giving little in terms of quality.”