Gazidis to leave Gunners
Ivan Gazidis could be taking more than just his savoir-faire to Milan with him when he joins the Italian giants, according to reports.
The Sun says that the Arsenal chief executive is “close” to agreeing terms with AC Milan, following months of speculation that the Italian outfit want him to restructure their off-field set-up.
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And the newspaper also claims that Gazidis’ appointment could help “smooth” the move of Aaron Ramsey to the Serie A club.
Milan have made no secret of their desire to sign the 27-year-old Welsh midfielder, who joined Arsenal from Cardiff City in 2008. Bosses at the Emirates are said to be increasingly concerned that Ramsey’s reluctance to extend his contract, which expires at the end of this season, is a sign that he is preparing to leave.
Temptation
Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Milan - taken over by American investment company Elliott Management in July - are prepared to pay Gazidis “what he wants” and are quietly confident that his presence at the San Siro “will boost their hopes of landing Ramsey”.
They are expected to table a bid for Ramsey in January in the hope of forcing the hand of Arsenal, who won’t want the Welshman to leave on a free transfer in June.
It sounds like he may be happy to go, however, with The Sun reporting that he is “tempted by the challenge of playing for one of Italy’s biggest and most successful clubs”.
Happy talk
The Daily Express is one of several outlets reporting comments by Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal, who like Ramsey, is in his final year of his contract at the Emirates.
The 32-year-old, who arrived in north London from Malaga in 2013, is free to speak to other clubs from January. Monreal has been linked with Real Sociedad, said by the Express to be one several clubs “sniffing around the Spain international”.
But when asked about his future, the Spanish left-back struck an optimistic tone about ongoing negotiations between the Gunners and his representatives.
“At the moment we are talking with the club,” he said. “I’ve always said I am really happy, I feel very happy playing for Arsenal. That is the most important thing.”