On the back of the rumors that Manchester United is interested in Hector Bellerin, reports emerged yesterday also linking Aaron Ramsey to Jose Mourinho’s side. While the source of the Ramsey story is not one of the more credible outlets, the rumor is another warning sign that Ramsey may be on his way out of the club in the near future.
Ramsey, who turned down Manchester United in order to join Arsenal ten years ago as an 18-year old, will have only one year left on his contract by this summer. Unless discussions of a contract extension pick up soon, Arsenal will soon face the same dilemma the club dealt with in the Alexis Sanchez saga, and will have to decide whether to sell Ramsey this summer, or let him walk for free in 2019.
Losing Ramsey would be a huge blow to Arsenal even if he doesn’t go to Manchester United or Chelsea, another interested rival according to the Daily Star. Ramsey is right up there with Mesut Ozil in terms of talent and importance to the team, and I don’t think there’s anyone particularly close to those two, except maybe Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Assuming Ramsey is interested in an extension, which granted, isn’t 100% clear, locking up the Welsh midfielder long-term is the best bit of business Arsenal can do right now.
The longer we go without reports of progress on a new contract, rumors of big clubs swirling around Ramsey will continue to pop up with worrying regularity. Buckle up.