It seems that all the interest Arsenal have shown in Welsh starlet Aaron Ramsey is finally coming to the right conclusion in the eyes of Arsene Wenger who has been an admirer since before he played at the Emirates Stadium in the Youth Cup a year and a half ago.
Arsenal, despite being having several previous bids being turned down for Ramsey previously, from last summers reported £1m interest to late May’s rumoured £4.5m bid, finally made an offer which matched Cardiff’s valuation of one of the hottest properties in British football last week. But all this seemed to be to no avail when Man Utd reported the news of their accepted bid of their official website with an air of confidence that Old Trafford would be the destination the Welshman would be heading to. This particularly seemed the case as Dave Jones, Cardiff manager, and Peter Ridsdale, Cardiff’s Chairman, both publicly supported a move to the Red Devils. But it seems that this was merely them looking out for their own club, with Man Utd’s deal including a loan back to Cardiff for next season, something Arsenal did not want.
Everton also had a bid accpeted, although it always appeared as though against the two title rivals’ bids, they would be set to one side in the race for the teenager. And when Wenger jetted him out to see him in Switzerland at the weekend, it seems as though the master French manager used all the persuasive powers that he possessed to convince him that North London would be the best move for him. This is what Cardiff have had to say today regarding the transfers progress:
“Cardiff City were informed on Tuesday morning that Aaron Ramsey’s preferred destination this summer is at the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal.
“We will now continue the dialogue with The Gunners with a view to Aaron’s move being completed. “The move, unlike other options, does not include a loan-back period at Ninian Park for the 2008-09 season.
“We would like to wish Aaron every success in the top flight.”
Meanwhile, Peter Ridsdale has had this to say, admitting Ramsey’s choice was not the one he wanted him to make:
“It is a very straight-forward, no-strings-attached £5million cash offer - simple. We felt that Manchester United equalled it because it [United's offer] included a loan back option.”
“We would have much preferred him to remain as a Cardiff City player or returned here on loan next season had he gone somewhere else. The only deal with a loan-back option was with Manchester United but ultimately it is up to the player to decide where he wants to go.“In an ideal world I would have wished him to go to Manchester United were he to leave us, but we have to be careful as we have relationships with Arsenal and want to do business with them in the future.”
I personally think that throughout the transfer Cardiff have intentionally put a lot of pressure on a young man’s shoulders, and the fact he went against that pressure shows something about his personality. As for Cardiff City themselves, I think that the way in which Ridsdale, Jones and co. have acted may have been just sticking up for their own interests, but were still unprofessional.
Living in Wales, I have heard a lot about Ramsey, much of it hyped of course, but he is a seriously talented player who I believe will see himself get a number of appearances, particularly in the Carling Cup in his debut season. His versatility will also see him filling in for any injuries across the midfield at times next season. So Welcome Rambo!
