Liverpool and Manchester United pulled out of the race to sign Aaron Ramsey on a free transfer after learning of the departing Arsenal star’s excessive wage demands, a report claims.
The 28-year-old Wales midfielder, who has spent the last 11 seasons at Arsenal, will leave Emirates Stadium as a free agent this summer after Juventus confirmed the worst kept secret in football.
Ramsey has signed a four-year deal with the club, keeping him at the Allianz Stadium until summer 2023 and earning the attacking midfielder a staggering £400,000 a week. With it, the Welshman becomes the highest-paid British player in the world game.
Ramsey opted to move to Turin ahead of a host of rival interest, with the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG also linked with the former Cardiff star, while English interest emerged from both United and Liverpool. However, the London Evening Standard claims both Premier League sides had a genuine interest in signing Ramsey and held what was deemed positive talks with the player’s representatives.
It’s claimed Jurgen Klopp was keen to add Ramsey’s penetration from midfield to his Liverpool squad, while United’s interest stemmed from Jose Mourinho, though it did look uncertain they would follow up on that initial interest until a permanent successor was appointed.
However, the crucial factor in both culling their interest were Ramsey’s wage demands, as news of the former Cardiff star’s incredible salary he ...