Manchester United have been linked by The Mirror with a raid on Arsenal to sign Aaron Ramsey. It’s a move which it’s tough to get excited about.
The Red Devils are named among a cluster of clubs keen on the midfielder, whose contract talks have broken down.
Both United fans and Arsenal fans have been here before. It isn’t the first time the Gunners have got themselves in a mess over contracts.
Ramsey is available on a free next summer… just as Alexis Sanchez would have been this year if Arsenal didn’t strike a deal with United in January.
Signing players from Arsenal can go one of two ways. Robin van Persie, or more sadly, Alexis Sanchez. It’s tempting to bundle Ramsey in with Sanchez.
Where would Ramsey fit in at United?
United are not short of midfielders. Ander Herrera, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard, Fred, Ander Herrera, Scott McTominay and of course Paul Pogba are among those competing for positions.
If Ramsey signed it could be as a replacement for Paul Pogba, and that would be massively underwhelming, a heartbreaking downgrade.
The Welshman is a player with a reputation built as a goalscoring midfielder, yet he hasn’t reached double figures in the Premier League since 2013/14.
Ramsey was famously wanted by Sir Alex Ferguson back in 2008. He chose Arsenal. With no league titles to show for it, he made the wrong decision.
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On a free transfer it may represent good value. He may even turn out to be a good signing if he stayed for five years and became more consistent.
It would just be a deal which would be tough to get excited about.
Would you want Aaron Ramsey at United?