Manchester United are reportedly planning to bring Wales international Aaron Ramsey to Old Trafford in the summer, when his contract with Arsenal runs down.
As per a report from the Mirror, Manchester United are hoping to be third time lucky in their bid to sign Arsenal midfield mainstay Aaron Ramsey in the summer, having failed to land him on two occasions previously.
Manchester United were interested in signing the 27-year-old Wales international before he left Cardiff City to move to Arsenal in a £4.8 million deal in 2008, with then manager Sir Alex Ferguson rating the midfielder very highly. It is understood that the Red Devils made an enquiry about his availability this past summer as well, however were rebuffed by the Gunners.
But, Ramsey is set to leave Arsenal at the end of the ongoing season, when his contract expires. The 55-time capped Wales international has less than twelve months left on his current deal and negotiations over a new contract haven’t gone according to plans.
Arsenal are believed to have withdrawn a contract offer worth £185,000-a-week, after a breakdown in negotiations, with the club not willing to meet Ramsey’s wage demands. Following this the midfielder has confirmed he will be to leaving the club on a free transfer in the summer after his current deal expires.
In his ten years with the North London outfit, Ramsey has racked up close to 350 appearances and has won three FA Cup trophies. The 27-year-old has started the 2018-19 campaign solidly as well, scoring one goal and setting up three more in 8 Premier League appearances.
However, things aren’t all that well between the player and the Gunners’ new manager Unai Emery, which is believed to have played a part in his decision to leave the club at the end of the season.
This recent development has piqued the interest of several clubs across Europe with Juventus and Real Madrid understood to be keen on signing Ramsey, while Arsenal’s Premier League rivals, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are also believed to be in the running for his signature.
Manchester United aren’t short on options in the middle of the park with the likes of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini all competing for a starting spot, along with summer signing Fred and academy products Andreas Pereira and Scott McTominay.
However, clouds of uncertainty hang over the long-term future of record signing Pogba, following his recent media outbursts and his rifts with manager Jose Mourinho. With Barcelona believed to be intent on signing the Frenchman, there is a good chance that he could be on his way out sooner rather than later.
Moreover, Ander Herrera could also be set to leave Manchester United when his contract expires, with the Spaniard’s former club Athletic Bilbao keen on taking him back. This could open up spaces in the squad, paving way for Ramsey’s arrival in the summer.
A proven performer with bags of experience in the Premier League and on the continental level, Ramsey would be an excellent addition to Manchester United. His natural goal-scoring instincts and creativity from the midfield would boost the Red Devils to a great extent.
However, it remains to be seen if they will be able to convince the 27-year-old to switch to Old Trafford, given the intense competition for his signing, with the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid also in the hunt.
