Newcastle United are reportedly plotting a January swoop for Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey.
The Magpies have ushered into a new era following the completion of the £305 million Saudi-backed takeover from British billionaire Mike Ashley last week. The new owners of the Tyneside-based club are already planning for the future and it now seems a matter of time before they are equipped with a strong squad and top coaching staff capable of challenging for trophies.
According to Italian news outlet Calciomercato, Newcastle United are monitoring the situation of Aaron Ramsey at Juventus.
Ramsey, 30, has endured a tough time at Juventus due to frequent injury problems, managing only 69 appearances in all competitions to date. The Wales international chose to stay at the club and prove himself to new manager Max Allegri but is now starting to consider leaving the Turin giants.
The report adds Juventus want to get the 30-year-old’s high wages off their books next year, with the midfielder currently earning €7million net a year.
Aaron Ramsey to Newcastle United – A good fit at St James’ Park?
Newcastle United are reeling in the relegation zone, devoid of a win in the new Premier League season after falling to a narrow 2-1 defeat to Wolves before the international break.
Steve Bruce is under tremendous pressure to turn around the fortunes of the club quickly. Failing to do so would see the English tactician lose his job at St James’ Park. With or without Bruce, the wealthy owners of Newcastle are already eyeing some big fishes and Aaron Ramsey is in the ilk of the big-name player they are likely to go after in January.
Throughout his club career, Ramsey has struggled with various injury problems. When fully fit, he is a top player who has delivered so many game-changing moments for his old club Arsenal. The Welshman may have not had the impact he’d wished to at Juventus and despite approaching 31, there’s still a lot of gas left in his tank.
A technically gifted and tactically versatile player, Ramsey can play in different positions across the midfield, as a wide playmaker or in the No.10 role. He is a very good passer of the ball, can pick a pass in the final third with his vision and time his runs to perfection in the box to score goals.
Blessed with a great engine, the ex-Arsenal man works diligently off the ball and never shirks doing his fair share of defensive duties to help his team in the transitional phase of play.
From a tactical perspective, the Wales international could play in a midfield three for Newcastle, where his excellent composure on the ball coupled with his superb ability to find teammates in open spaces would make him an ideal ball-carrier as well as a playmaker for the Tyneside-based outfit. Considering he spent a decade at Arsenal, Ramsey won’t take too long to adjust to life in the Premier League.
Ramsey’s qualities and experience could lift Newcastle’s midfield to a different level whilst adding much-needed competitive spirit within the squad. Thus, the Magpies signing the Welsh midfielder from Juventus would represent a significant piece of business in the January transfer window.