Arsenal-Fulham
Bryan Ruiz has scored just one goal this season. PA

La Liga's bottom club Real Betis are desperately trying to sign new players this month to avoid dropping to the second division and have their eyes on Fulham striker Bryan Ruiz, according to reports in Spain.

Fulham signed Bryan Ruiz from FC Twente for a fee of around £10.6m in the summer of 2011. The Costa Rica international was an important player during his first two seasons at Craven Cottage but struggled to have the same impact so far this season, starting just eight Premier League games and scoring just one goal.

Spanish newspaper Diario AS report that Betis are already in talks with the forward to secure his services and that Fulham are open to selling him in order to finance their own efforts to sign new players.

Betis are already close to securing the services of Atletico Madrid striker Leo Baptistao on loan but after scoring just 15 goals in 18 games manager Juan Carlos Garrido wants to further bolster his attack with Ruiz.

The 28-year-old forward is willing to leave London to get more playing time before next summer's World Cup but the problem in negotiations is the Costa Rican's concern over Betis' ability to survive relegation from Spain's top flight.

The Seville-based club are currently at the bottom of the league and Ruiz is worried about the prospect of playing in the second division next season if the club are relegated.

Liverpool Spaniard Iago Aspas and Manchester City youngster Jonnh Guidetti have also been linked with Betis over the past month.