Arsenal fear Liverpool, Man Utd are ready to make cut-price swoop

Arsenal are reportedly fearful that Liverpool and Manchester United are lining up cut-price January move for Aaron Ramsey.

The 27-year-old Wales midfielder looks set to leave The Emirates after talks over a new deal broke down. New Arsenal boss Unai Emery, who labelled him a “very important player” after the 5-1 win at Fulham, claimed he wanted Ramsey to stay, but the club have stood firm and will not be held to ransom and the contract offer has now been withdrawn.

Ramsey’s existing deal expires next summer meaning he could negotiate with overseas clubs in January over a free-transfer move in the summer.

The Evening Standard though have reported that Ramsey could be picked up by Liverpool or Manchester United, who would be looking at paying less than half of his market value because of his contract situation.

The report claims “senior figures at Arsenal believe there is a strong possibility at least one of the clubs will try to take advantage of the contract impasse”.

Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan are all understood to be monitoring the situation, but with Ramsey’s wife set to give birth to twins he is thought to prefer to stay in the Premier League.

The Metro claimed last month that Liverpool were leading the chase for Ramsey, and the Standard say the Reds “are the most likely candidates” to sign him as Jurgen Klopp is a keen admirer.

Klopp was looking for a No.10 in the summer after the move for Lyon’s Nabil Fekir collapsed at the last minute and with that deal likely to cost £50million to revive, Ramsey would be a cheaper alternative.

It’s understood Arsenal are eager to sell Ramsey in January rather than lose him for free and a fee of around £25million may well be enough to secure the player’s services.