It all started with a tweet: Bryan Ruiz en #DM935: "No las descarto -ligas nórdicas o MLS-. Veremos si hay interés de esos equipos"

— Deportes Monumental (@RadioMonumental) February 10, 2015

For our readers who aren't multilingual, that translates to something along the lines of "Don't rule out a move to the Nordic or MLS. We'll see if there's interest from their teams".

Bryan Ruiz is currently at Fulham after seeing a loan move to Levante fall through. He's apparently ill at ease and wants out of the club. His contract is set to expire this summer. For those who aren't familiar with Ruiz, the 29 year old captained Costa Rica to the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup, scoring two goals. After beginning his career in Costa Rica with Alajuelense, he moved to Gent, Twente, and then Fulham. He spent the first half of the 2014/15 season on loan with PSV Eindhoven, scoring 5 goals in 14 games.

On the face of it, there seems to be little chance of Ruiz coming to the Whitecaps. We've already filled all three of our DP slots, he'd be another (relatively) big money signing, and it's questionable whether or not he's the type of player Robbo has been looking for. However, with a little bit of optimism and fan bias, it's easier to see things in a more positive light.

For instance, the new CBA could include an extra DP spot for teams, making the financial side of things less of a worry. There's also the potential option of paying down Matias Laba's contract to non-DP status. With the amount of allocation money the 'Caps have received this year from transactions such as the Vitoria trade, CONCACAF Champions League qualification, and Mehdi Ballouchy's pick up in the expansion draft, it's not inconceivable.

Positionally, Ruiz seems to be rather versatile. He's listed in a variety of spots such as attacking midfielder, striker, and right winger. The latter two are definite positions of need in the Whitecaps' squad. With Robert Earnshaw by no means a sure signing, Ruiz could fill a hole up top as well as providing a reliable striker option amongst a young group of forwards.

One can always hope that Kendall Waston will put a good word in for the 'Caps with his fellow countryman, but it will be up to Carl Robinson to determine whether or not Ruiz is the right player to bring into the squad.

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