Mesut Ozil Deal Reportedly 'Influenced' Aaron Ramsey Talks Amid China Rumours

Arsenal breaking off contract talks with Aaron Ramsey may have been influenced by Mesut Ozil's deal, according to David Hytner of the Guardian.

Hytner reported how Ramsey's demands might be based in part on the £350,000 weekly salary Ozil is paid, while the Gunners are also aware of rumours "Ramsey has been the subject of a huge offer from China."

Hytner also said Arsenal have "no desire" to meet the terms Ramsey may demand.

It means the three-time FA Cup winner will likely switch clubs once he's out of contract next summer. He may even depart during the January transfer window, per John Cross of the Daily Mirror, who said a winter sale for the Juventus, Lazio, Chelsea and Manchester United target is the Gunners' preferred option.

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Letting Ramsey join a new club in January would mean Arsenal fetching a decent fee for the Wales international. The north London club could be counting on it after a "four-year agreement" was withdrawn, per BBC Sport's David Ornstein.

He also pointed out how neither Ramsey nor Arsenal commented on why talks came to an end.

Ramsey is talented, but him moving on wouldn't be a hammer blow for the Gunners. The 27-year-old is a dynamic box-to-box runner who can influence games with natural flair and a keen eye for goal.

Those are worthy qualities, but it's not as if Arsenal's midfield ranks are threadbare. Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira, Mohamed Elneny and Matteo Guendouzi are capable deep-lying playmakers.

Things are stronger further forward where Ozil, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith-Rowe offer creativity and guile. Ramsey has been keeping Mkhitaryan and Iwobi out of the team, even though he doesn't always seem best suited to a No. 10 role:

What is surprising about Ramsey being headed to the exit door is what it might mean for the man who gave him a vote of confidence during the summer, head coach Unai Emery.

The Spaniard succeeded Arsene Wenger in the dugout and soon declared Ramsey a player he hoped to build his team around, per Sky Sports News.

It's easy to wonder how much of letting Ramsey walk is Emery's decision. Arsenal's post-Wenger structure has reduced the power of the head coach position, with Raul Sanllehi and Huss Fahmy in charge of contracts and Sven Mislintat leading recruitment.

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Emery has been playing Ramsey further forward than Wenger did, a ploy yielding mixed results, despite the former Cardiff City prospect supplying two assists during the recent 2-0 win over Everton.

The uneven performances may have convinced Emery he needs to move on from Ramsey. It would help make room for Mkhitaryan alongside Ozil and ease the burden of having to fit so many attack-minded players into the starting XI.

Letting Ramsey go for a reduced fee may sting a little initially, but Arsenal have seen this before. Robin van Persie, Alexis Sanchez and Jack Wilshere all left amid contract disputes.

Sanchez continues to struggle since his move to United back in January:

Perhaps Emery and the Arsenal hierarchy have taken belief from these struggles they can let another big name synonymous with the Wenger era go, and feel confident about replacing him.