Frustrated Ramsey questions Arsenal’s ambition
AARON RAMSEY appears to have questioned Arsenal’s transfer policy as the club shipped out several players on transfer deadline day.
While the Gunners now look like holding onto Alexis Sanchez despite two late bids from Manchester City, a lot of Arsenal fans have been left deflated by the number of Emirates Stadium exits. Sanchez had been odds-on to move to City after being linked with the club throughout the summer.
The Chile forward has less than a year remaining on his contract and was the subject of a second bid from City yesterday afternoon. It is understood Arsenal would only have sanctioned his departure if they had been able to strike a deal with Monaco for Thomas Lemar.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s move to Liverpool was the biggest domestic transfer of deadline day as the England international insisted he was looking to take his game to the next level at Anfield.
“The decision to leave was tough after being a part of the club for so many years, but I feel that this move is right for the next stage in my ongoing development,” he said.
Ramsey, currently away on international duty with Wales, was one of a promising British core of players much-heralded by manager Arsene Wenger.
Two of that quintet have left in the last 24 hours with Kieran Gibbs and Oxlade-Chamberlain being sold on, and Ramsey posted a message on Instagram that looked to query the decision to sell. “Another of our British boys heading on to new things,” he wrote alongside a picture of himself and Oxlade-Chamberlain.
“Not only have we lost a great player we’ve lost a great guy in the changing room and it is sad to see you go mate. Had some great memories over the years playing along side you and I wish you all the best with this new chapter in your life.”
Full-back Serge Aurier joined Tottenham from Paris St Germain in a £23m move.
Swansea landed Renato Sanches, the Portugal international midfielder, on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich and could re-sign Wilfried Bony from Manchester City after having a £12m bid accepted. Everton made 19-year-old forward Nikola Vlasic their ninth summer signing, on a five-year contract from Hajduk Split, while Brighton signed defender Ezequiel Schelotto from Sporting Lisbon.