Arsenal transfer news: Aaron Ramsey, Ivan Gazidis, Nacho Monreal

Gazidis to leave Gunners

Ivan Gazidis could be taking more than just his savoir-faire to Milan when he joins the Italian giants, claims The Sun.

The paper says that the Arsenal chief executive is “close” to agreeing terms with AC Milan after months of speculation that the Italian outfit wanted him to restructure their off-field set-up. 

But the Sun also says that Gazidis’ appointment could help “smooth” the move of Aaron Ramsey to the Serie A club.

They’ve made no secret of their desire to sign the 27-year-old Welsh midfielder. Sources at the Emirates are increasingly concerned that Ramsey’s reluctance to extend his contract (which expires at the end of this season) is a sign that he is preparing to part company with the club he joined in 2008 from Cardiff City 

Temptation

Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport claim that after months of negotiations Milan - who in July were taken over by American investment company Elliott Management - are prepared to pay Gazidis “what he wants” and they are quietly confident that his presence at the San Siro “will boost their hopes of landing Ramsey”.

It’s believed that they will table a bid for Ramsey in January in the hope of forcing the hand of Arsenal, who won’t want the Welshman to leave on a free transfer in June.

As for the player, the Sun says that he is “tempted by the challenge of playing for one of Italy’s biggest and most successful clubs”.

Happy talk

The Daily Express is one of several outlets to report the comments of Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal, who, like Ramsey, is in his final year of his contract at the Emirates.

The 32-year-old, who arrived in north London from Malaga in 2013, is free to speak to other clubs from January. Monreal has been linked with Real Sociedad, said by the Express to be one several clubs “sniffing around the Spain international”.

But when asked about his future, the Spanish left-back struck an optimistic tone in describing ongoing negotiations between the Gunners and his representatives.

“At the moment we are talking with the club,” he said. “I’ve always said I am really happy, I feel very happy playing for Arsenal. That is the most important thing.”