Chelsea could be lining up a shock move for Welsh international midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who has entered the final year of his contract with Arsenal, according to reports.
Ramsey is a key player and leader within the Gunners dressing room and officials at the Emirates will need to start negotiations soon to avoid experiencing a similar situation to the ones they faced with Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and currently Jack Wilshere.
Arsenal will be in a shaky position if they do not take action before the summer transfer window and Chelsea are said to be keeping tabs on the situation. The Blues are expected to undergo a squad overhaul during the summer following their less-than-impressive defence of the Premier League title this season.
Squad reshuffle likely for Blues
Chelsea have been in particularly underwhelming form since the start of 2018, dropping outside the top four. Judging by the way that they have been playing during recent times, it will not be surprising if they fail to secure qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Arsenal will be especially wary of sending another player across London after they the transfer of Olivier Giroud to Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window.
Ramsey currently earns £110,000 per week and it is understood that he wants a significant increase if he is to remain at the Emirates, especially as Mesut Ozil was handed a staggering £300,000 per week deal.
“There’s nothing to comment on at the moment,’ Ramsey told BT Sport when pressed on the situation. “I think they’ve been busy to tie up other contracts at the moment.”
Other Arsenal players whose contracts will expire in 2019 include Nacho Monreal, Petr Cech and David Ospina.
Ospina is expected to leave the club during the summer in search of first-team football while Cech’s future is up in the air as the Gunners could move for a new keeper during the summer.
