Chelsea are reportedly preparing a £35 million bid for Arsenal contract rebel Aaron Ramsey to land him in time for the English transfer deadline.
Chelsea have seen their transfer activity delayed by many reasons since the end of last season, but have now accelerated their recruitment process and are moving in top gear ahead of the August 9 deadline. The Sun are reporting that Chelsea could test Arsenal’s resolve on Aaron Ramsey by lodging a £35 million bid.
Chelsea are looking for an opportunistic signing as things look and are ready to check if Arsenal will be willing to sell Aaron Ramsey before the transfer deadline. Ramsey’s contract situation has not been a healthy one from the Gunners’ perspective, while Chelsea believe their London rivals could sell their star man if he fails to agree a new deal.
In recent weeks, Chelsea were also contemplating making a £30 million offer for Ramsey. But now, it seems like they have upped the ante in the Welshman pursuit, with the aim of tempting Arsenal to sell. On the other hand, other clubs like Barcelona, Manchester United and Juventus are also interested in the midfielder.
Ramsey’s situation has been a little tricky for Arsenal, who had thought they had the player’s future secured with a reportedly attractive new contract offer placed on the table. But, with the Welshman’s demands seemingly unknown, there is a definite delay in penning the new contract Arsenal have offered.
This new deal will put Ramsey in the same wage bracket as January signings Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, both of whom are thought to be earning close to £200,000-a-week. With the transfer window set to end early this summer, Arsenal are demanding a definitive answer from Ramsey, even as Chelsea lurk.
Alternatively, in the scenario that Ramsey fails to renew with Arsenal, the Gunners are reportedly prepared to sell the Welshman, rather than lose him on free next summer. Knowing that such a situation is entirely possible, Chelsea are probing the Gunners for Ramsey and are set to lodge a £35 million bid for the contract rebel.
Chelsea have already signed Jorginho, and are seemingly well stocked in central midfield. Players like Tiemoue Bakayoko, Cesc Fabregas, Danny Drinkwater and January recruit Ross Barkley are other options for Maurizio Sarri, although Ramsey’s addition will be a real boost for them.
A decision on the Ramsey situation is expected in the coming days, well before the transfer deadline. Arsenal will be hoping Chelsea’s interest would not turn Ramsey’s head around, and instead, he remains with them for the foreseeable future.
