The Hard Tackle looks at three Premier League clubs who should look to sign former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey as Juventus prepare to offload him in the summer.
Regarded as one of the top central midfielders in the Premier League not so long ago, Aaron Ramsey has seen a bit of a decline in his stature over the past couple of years. Having spent the majority of his senior football career at Arsenal, the Welshman decided to call time on his stint at the Emirates in 2019, joining Juventus on a free transfer.
There was a lot of furore among the Gunners’ fans over letting Ramsey, who was entering his prime years, leave for nothing. At the same time, it seemed like Juventus had nailed another top free transfer as they had been doing in the past few years with the likes of Paul Pogba, Andrea Pirlo and Dani Alves among others.
Fast forward two years, though, and it has hardly turned out the way Juventus and Ramsey would have envisaged their partnership to flourish. In his first season at the club, then-manager Maurizio Sarri just did not find a way to fit the Welshman in the side while injuries also played a part in his reduced role in the side.
Ramsey has seen more game-time under Andrea Pirlo this term, but it has largely come out of position in a wide-midfielder role. Even then, he has managed to contribute with two goals and five assists from 18 Serie A appearances.
However, his time at Juventus could be coming to an end as the club deals with the repercussions of the early UEFA Champions League exit on their finances. That coupled with the impact of the coronavirus as well as the probability of missing out on the Serie A title this term could lead to the Old Lady getting rid of some of their top earners in order to achieve some financial stability.
And, Ramsey, according to those reports, could be one player who is shown the doors in the summer. While he may not have made the desired impact in his two years in Italy, the Welshman, at 30, still has plenty left to offer at the highest level of football.
Add to it his experience in Premier League and Europe would only add more value to any squad he becomes a part of. To that end, The Hard Tackle now looks at three Premier League clubs that could benefit from signing the former Arsenal superstar in the summer transfer window.
Liverpool
Liverpool have already been linked with a move for Aaron Ramsey ahead of the upcoming transfer window and that is a move that could work out well for all parties involved.
The Reds, as things stand, have a packed midfield unit. However, Georginio Wijnaldum, one of Jurgen Klopp’s most trusted lieutenants, could be on his way out of the club with his contract nearing expiry at the end of the season. In addition, James Milner is entering the twilight of his career while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hasn’t kicked on as expected and could be staring at an uncertain future.
Signing Ramsey, to that end, could prove to be a shrewd move by the reigning Premier League champions. The 30-year-old relishes playing as a box-to-box midfielder and has that ability to make those late runs into the box while he would also offer that extra bit of creativity from midfield that sometimes Wijnaldum did not.
Throw in the fact that he has already proven himself in the Premier League, has the experience of winning titles and trophies, and Liverpool would be investing in a seasoned campaigner who could fill in the shoes potentially left vacant by Wijnaldum’s exit.
West Ham United
It seems like West Ham United will be playing European football next season. The Hammers have been exceptional under David Moyes this term and look set for a top six finish, perhaps even top four if Chelsea or Leicester City slip up. And in order to compete across all fronts, they will need to have proper squad depth and players with the know-how of European football.
Enter Aaron Ramsey. A player with over 250 Premier League appearances and 76 outings in the Champions League and Europa League combined (qualifiers included), his volume of experience and knowledge would be a huge boost for Moyes and West Ham.
Add to it, the fact that Mark Noble is not getting any younger and has already declared that the next season will be his last, signing another seasoned veteran such as Ramsey makes so much more sense. This would also allow manager Moyes to ideally rotate Tomas Soucek effectively or go with an extra-man in midfield depending upon situations.
Wages could prove to be a problem, however, while his injury record can also raise concerns. But this term, he has shown that when fit he can be an asset, despite being played out of position. And Ramsey is a player that David Moyes admires, having tried to sign him in the earlier stages of his career. So, there could be some potential to such a move happening this summer.
Tottenham Hotspur
A left-field option, but one worth considering as Jose Mourinho is also a huge admirer of Ramsey and the Welshman has been linked with Tottenham ever since the Portuguese took over the reins at the club.
Tottenham, this season, have lacked that bit of attacking quality from their midfield. Tanguy Ndombele started promisingly but has flitted in and out while Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko don’t really offer much in terms of forward thrust and quality on the ball and as a result, Mourinho could certainly do with a quality box-to-box operator in the summer window.
Ramsey, to that end, could prove to be a viable addition to the Tottenham ranks. Admittedly, at 30, he wouldn’t fit the Daniel Levy formula of buying young and developing players, but the quality and the experience that he would bring to the side would certainly make him a worthy addition.
Ramsey could go on to play a role similar to what Frank Lampard did under Jose Mourinho during their days at Chelsea, making late runs into the box and contributing with goals and assists. The Welshman’s history with Arsenal, however, would make the transfer a difficult one to go through. But, stranger things have happened in football.
