Arsenal Transfer News: Barcelona Target Ramsey, Koscielny Reveals Interest

Aaron Ramsey has ignited rumors of his plans to quit Premier League side Arsenal for Barcelona in summer with a transfer fee estimated in between £50 million to £60 million.

The Blaugrana side have managed to lure some of the finest players, including Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas, away from Arsenal in the last decade. Despite their interest in the midfielder last season, their pursuit was turned down by the north London club.

Ramsey, who remained off the pitch for Arsenal because of injury for part of the 2014/15 campaign, managed to get hold of his position in the club’s competitive midfield while also taking the club to win the FA Cup. The Welshman showed his prominence during his development in 2013 at the Emirates that put him under the eyes of Barcelona.

According to Fox Sports, reports claim that Barcelona sent scouts to watch the player in Arsenal’s 3-3 draw at the Anfield against Liverpool as they set the midfielder as one of their prime targets for the summer.

The Express also reports that the Gunners will let go of the player if he agrees to join the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suarez at Nou Camp.

“Obviously it’s very flattering,” Ramsey explained to the Guardian as he detailed about his plans and aims regarding his future at Arsenal.

“One day I would like to go over to Spain to play just to see what it’s like and to experience that. But at the moment I’m with Arsenal and I feel like this Arsenal team can go and be successful and challenge for things.”

The 24-year-old believes that an injury-free season will help him decide his life on and off the pitch as the player also awaits to play for Wales in the European Championships for the first time in history.

“I’m really happy,” Ramsey added. “I’m in a good place on and off the field, looking forward to a lot of things this year and this season. Hopefully it will all have a happy ending.”

The Spanish giants know that they will need to spend somewhere in between £50 million to £60 million to bring the midfielder away from Arsenal, but they also believe that Ramsey will be of great help to continue the club’s finest success in recent years.

Arsenal’s manager, Arsene Wenger, was also worried about losing some important players from the club, including Laurent Koscielny, as the player admits of being approached by a number of clubs interested in signing him. However, the defender insisted that he has no plans of leaving the Emirates Stadium, and he could conclude his career at the Premier League club.

LAURENT KOSCIELNY says he has no reason to leave Arsenal, despite interest from other clubs pic.twitter.com/9aqdDc96fA

— Arsenal (@ArsenalGoals) January 18, 2016

Having established himself as one of the finest central defenders in the English football for Arsenal, the 30-year-old believes that the regular football he’s getting to play at the club has helped him to go further and establish himself at an international level with France as well.

“There were teams interested in me but I always asked myself if it was worth taking the risk,” Koscielny told Journal du Dimanche.

I’ve seen a good few players leave for a bigger club and find themselves on the substitutes’ bench. At the start of my career I was often on the bench. I hated it. I said to myself ‘never again’. For the moment, I have no reason to go and look elsewhere. I have everything I need to develop myself.”

Koscielny has been an important part of Arsenal’s team this season, as the club returns to the top of the league on goal difference, ahead of Leicester City, after holding Stoke City in a 0-0 draw last week.

The Frenchman has been an important part of the Arsenal’s defence that has conceded just 21 goals in all matches this season, while his form has also helped him to get a place in the French national team at Euro 2016 alongside the likes of Raphael Varane.

The defender also believes that Arsenal can hold on to their league position and go on to win the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2004 this season.

[Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images]