Ramsey to stay
Arsenal are eyeing up a move for Cagliari star Nicolo Barella, according to some pundits.
The Daily Star says the London side have “long been following” the Italy interational - but not everyone is convinced.
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Rumours are growing that talk of Aaron Ramsey’s imminent departure are premature, with the Daily Mirror claiming that Arsenal boss Unai Emery has told his board that “he wants to keep Aaron Ramsey until the summer”.
Barella on the backburner?
There had been talk that Arsenal might make a move this month for the 21-year-old Barella, described by the Star as “one of the most highly rated central midfielders in Serie A”.
That claim was based on the expectation that Ramsey would join Juventus in January, but now reports from Italy suggest Emery has decided to hang on to the Welshman until June, after being impressed by Ramsey’s continued commitment to the club.
That apparently suits Juventus, who according to The Sun, have agreed a pre-contract deal with Ramsey ahead of his move to Turin this summer on a four-year deal worth £145,000-a-week.
United to gazump Gunners?
But Emery’s decision to hold fire on making a bid for Barella could allow Manchester United to nip in and pinch the young playmaker.
The Star says that the Red Devils are monitoring the Cagliari ace, as are Inter and Napoli. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Cagliari president Tommaso Giulini is aware of the interest and has let it be known that he won’t take a penny less than £44m for Barella.
Waiting game for Nkoulou
According to Italian outlet Tutto Mercato, Arsenal have had no joy trying to persuade Torino to sell them Nicolas Nkoulou.
Emery believes the Cameroonian player is the sort of no-nonsense centre-back that his back four badly needs, but the Italian side are said to have told the Gunners to come back in June, when they might be willing to do business.
Werner being watched
The Daily Mirror says that Arsenal have taken note of what the paper describes as Timo Werner’s “dithering” over a new contract.
The frontman is stalling on signing a fresh deal with RB Leipzig - and the newspaper claims that has “pricked Arsenal ears”. Emery is said to be a fan of the 22-year-old sharpshooter, who has already scored 11 league goals this season.
Emery says no to Navas
It didn’t take long for Emery to shoot down suggestions that he had tabled a £14m bid for Real Madrid’s Keylor Navas.
At a press conference on Thursday, the Spaniard was asked to confirm rumours that he wants to bring the shot-stopper to the Emirates, the Daily Mail reports. “Not true,” Emery replied. “We’ve never spoken about Keylor Navas.”
