Juventus to offer Africa’s top defender to Arsenal in exchange for Ramsey

Juventus are reportedly prepared to offer Medhi Benatia to Arsenal in order to get a deal over the line for Aaron Ramsey this January.

Ramsey becomes a free agent in the summer and the 28-year-old midfielder has agreed to join Juve where he is set to become the club’s second-highest paid player behind Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Juventus are yet to reach an agreement with Arsenal and the Serie A club are exploring every avenue in order to win the race for Ramsey. Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that Juve are set to include Benatia in any potential deal for the Wales international.

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Unai Emery is keen to sign a central defender and the potential arrival of Benatia could be enough to convince Arsenal. Reports earlier this week claimed that the Gunners had already made an approach for the Moroccan. Benatia has struggled for game-time under Massimiliano Allegri this season following Leonardo Bonucci’s return to Turin.

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Asked about his future ahead of the January window, Benatia told La Stampa: ‘If [Juventus] need me in the Champions League, I will make myself ready, but I can hardly play a game every so often. ‘Last year I did well because I had more continuity. Unfortunately, now I do not have it. ‘Part of my job is that I always have to work to make myself ready, but it is not a pleasant situation.’
Arsenal boss Emery praised Ramsey for his professionalism amid the growing speculation regarding his future. Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s clash with West Ham, Emery said: ‘I say to him everyday that we need his performance for us. ‘And I was very happy with him in the last match. He asked in Blackpool to play, he said: “Coach, I want to play”.

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‘His future is for him, his family and his agent. But every day in training he is working very well. ‘I want his focus to be on us, and to be on West Ham on Saturday. I respect his decision a lot.’

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