Aaron Ramsey has talked up a switch to La Liga in the future, but how much effect would his exit have on Arsenal?
The Welshman has been in-and-out of the first-team this season, and is now outside my preferred XI, following the emergence of Alex Iwobi from the youth side.
Barcelona have been continually linked with a potential move for the midfielder, and he has now talked up a potential switch to La Liga in the future.
When asked about a switch to Spain, he told Marca: ‘Barca plays very good football and Arsenal want to do the same. I’ve said it once: I would love to someday play in La Liga, at one of the greats.
‘I see their league each week. It suits my style. Maybe I will someday, who knows what will happen in the future?’
Such a move appears unlikely in the current transfer window however, having recently opted to take over Mikel Arteta’s number eight shirt, which is a strong indication of his plans for the new campaign.
The 25 year-old is believed to favour a central role in the Gunners side, but with Francis Coquelin, Jack Wilshere, Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka, Santi Cazorla, and Mesut Ozil vying for central roles also, that looks a big ask to hold down regularly.
The creative midfielder is regularly fielded in a wide role, but his injuries have regularly ended his run in the first-team, and others have impressed within the side.
Should Barcelona come knocking for him with a reasonable fee, I would not begrudge selling him, with a wealth of other options at our disposal, which would give us more funds to invest in bringing in stronger alternatives.
As much love as I have for Ramsey, there is no room for sentiment if we are to be taken seriously in the title race, and the surplus in the squad should be shifted in order to end up with the strongest possible squad.
Is Ramsey of the standard needed to challenge for the title? Would he be in your favoured starting line-up?
Patrick J