Chelsea ready to raid Arsenal for star midfielder

According to The Sunday Express Chelsea are ready to make their interest in Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey official with a late bid in the transfer window.

The Wales international has been coy on his future at the Emirates this summer and is yet to agree terms on a new deal to extend his current contract beyond the end of the upcoming season.

London rivals Chelsea are hoping to exploit the fact that the 27-year-old’s deal with the Gunners is winding down and are hoping to tempt the club with an offer in the region of £35m.

Arsenal were in a similar position this time last year when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was eventually sold to Liverpool to avoid losing the England international on a free and that would once again be the worst case scenario for the club.

New manager Unai Emery does now have Lucas Torreira bolstering his midfield ranks but Jack Wilshere has left the club and another of its longest serving players may yet follow him out the exit door.

Ramsey only played 24 league games for Arsenal last season, starting 21, but had a direct hand in 15 goals in that time, scoring seven and registering the joint-most assists at the club (eight).