Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is plotting a shock move for Welsh international Aaron Ramsey. The Los Blancos boss is an admirer of Ramsey and is willing to pay £25 million to secure his services, according to The Sun.
The 25-year old’s impressive showing in UEFA Euro 2016 caught the eye of the Real Madrid hierarchy as Ramsey made a significant contribution to his nation reaching the semi-finals and UEFA named him in the team of the tournament.
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Ramsey’s current deal with the North London outfit expires in June 2018 and the Welsh international is reportedly frustrated with Arsene Wenger’s reluctance to play him in his preferred position. Ramsey suffered a hamstring injury during Arsenal’s first game of the season against Liverpool and that sidelined him for more than two months restricting the 25-year-old to making just four appearances for his club this campaign.
With competition for places really intense at the Emirates this season, Ramsey would find it tough to get regular game time in his preferred central midfielder role.
The Welsh international is also unhappy with the Arsenal board’s disinclination to make any movements regarding his contract as the club’s current focus is on tying down Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.
Real Madrid are keeping close tabs on the situation and are preparing a deal that would provide Ramsey with a significant improvement from his current £90,000 a-week wages and assurances over game time in a central role. The prospect of playing alongside his compatriot Gareth Bale would really tempt the former Cardiff City player into making a move to the Spanish capital.
The reigning European champions are currently banned by FIFA from registering new players until January 2018. Real, along with cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid, have been accused of the illegal signing of foreign players who are less than 18-years-old.
However, the Los Blancos are optimistic that their second appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport will help them win the case and the ban will subsequently be lifted. Star players James Rodriguez and Luka Modric are rumoured to leave the club next summer which would make room for Ramsey in the Los Blancos squad.
Zidane has noticed Ramsey's versatility which enables him to play anywhere in midfield and is convinced that the Welsh international is a target whom he doesn’t want to miss out on.
Arsenal reportedly owe the reigning European champions a sum of £11 million for their acquisition of Mesut Ozil back in the 2013 summer transfer window and with just 18 months left on Ramsey’s contract, Real Madrid are confident of landing the 25-year-old for a cut-price deal.
(Video courtesy: RoMarsh YouTube channel)
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