In a recent edition of the Transfer Window Podcast (transcripted by The Daily Express), Ian McGarry has stated that Everton are eyeing a summer move for ex-Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey after his current employers Juventus have decided that they should sanction his exit on a free transfer. McGarry said, “What interests us the most is the news that we can bring you that Wales international midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who himself only moved to Turin last summer, is made available on a free transfer.
“Remember he joined from Arsenal for free in the summer of 2019 but is being allowed to leave after a disappointing first term in Italian football.
“It’s our understanding that, with no transfer fee, Ramsey’s salary in the remaining years of a very lucrative contract worth €150,000 net per week, he will receive some compensation on that to make it easier for him to go and there is interest from one Premier League club who we understand to be Everton and Carlo Ancelotti is keen to sign an attacking midfielder who can also break up play, the old classic [Frank] Lampard role of box-to-box of course.
“However, that salary would definitely be a problem for Everton to match.
“But there’s also interest from Napoli and Roma, where because of tax laws in Italy they certainly can, and if they’re able, be willing to match Ramsey’s current earnings.”
It seems like the Toffees will have to move quickly if they are to beat Napoli and AS Roma in the race to acquire the talented midfielder’s services in this off-season. However, the Welsh midfielder’s high wages could be a major stumbling block for the Merseyside outfit as they cannot afford to recruit a player, who would have a draining effect on their wage bill.
Ramsey’s Mounting Frustrations At The Allianz Stadium
Since sealing a move from the Gunners last summer, Ramsey has failed to live up to the high expectations surrounding his arrival at Turin. He only managed to score four goals and pick up one assist in 35 fixtures for Juve last season in multiple competitions which sheds light on his recent shortcomings in the offensive third of the pitch.
The 29-year-old struggled to discover consistency in terms of his performances at the centre of the park after averaging 0.7 tackles, 1.0 shots, 0.8 key passes and 0.5 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Serie A and the UEFA Champions League. However, the 58-time Welsh international can be praised for his accurate ball-distribution in midfield as evident from his pass completion rate of 88% in league football (stats via whoscored).
What Will The Welsh Midfield Ace Bring To Goodison Park?
Ramsey is a hard-working midfielder who has often struggled to find the end-product in the opposition half over the past 12 months. He is an excellent passer of the ball and can also get himself into some dangerous positions in and around the opposition penalty area. However, the Welsh international has failed to hit top gear for Juve so far which could be one of the main reasons why the Italian champions are willing to cut him loose as a free agent this summer.
How Does Ramsey Fit In At Merseyside?
Most of Carlo Ancelotti’s midfielders struggled to give a good account of themselves for the Toffees last season. The likes of Fabian Delph, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Tom Davies have all flattered to deceive with their performances. Furthermore, Andre Gomes missed a significant chunk of the previous campaign due to a serious ankle injury.
Therefore, the Merseysiders can benefit from adding a player of Ramsey’s experience to their squad before the new Premier League season kicks off next month. The Welsh midfield enforcer proved his worth in English football during his time at North London, so a switch to Goodison Park could allow him to rediscover his old form in familiar surroundings and kick start his career at the highest level.
