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Juventus Reportedly Step Up Aaron Ramsey Interest Amid Liverpool Rumours
October 11, 2018
Juventus are reportedly planning to make a move for Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, whose contract expires at the end of this season.
According to the Daily Mail's Steve Stammers, Liverpool and Chelsea are also eager to sign the Wales international, but because Juve are based overseas, they can negotiate a pre-contract agreement with Ramsey from January.
That could give the Italian giants an advantage over any Premier League suitors, who would either have to pay a transfer fee to get Ramsey in January or wait until the summer to negotiate with him.
The 27-year-old has been at Arsenal since 2008.
Per the Guardian's David Hytner, the 2018-19 campaign looks set to be his last season with the north London club after the Gunners failed to meet his demands for a significant pay rise.
Juve have the financial clout to meet Ramsey's demands, especially on a free transfer, and he "could command wages close to £250,000 a week," per Stammers.
The Old Lady can also all but guarantee Ramsey silverware in Serie A and offer a genuine chance of going deep in the UEFA Champions League.
The Welshman has started the new season in fine fashion under Unai Emery, providing three assists and netting once in eight Premier League appearances.
However, as ESPN FC's Mattias Karen noted, Ramsey's form does have a propensity to fluctuate:
If Juve feel they can get the best out of him, an approach for Ramsey in January would be logical.
It would be a big change for Ramsey to move to Italy after spending his entire career in Wales and England.
But Juventus are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and it would surely be foolish for him to turn down the opportunity to join them if it arises.