Aaron Ramsey is ready to leave Arsenal after failing to agree terms on a new deal.
The agency who represents the Wales international confirmed he will be saying goodbye to the Gunners when his contract runs out in the summer in a series of tweets that have since been deleted.
Avid Sports & Entertainment Group wrote: “There is nothing we can do… the club made a decision.” While another deleted tweet stated: “He didn’t want to leave, but now there is no other option.”
Arsenal will no doubt be looking to move the midfielder on in January in order to recoup some cash for him, as opposed to see him walk away on a Bosman at the end of the season.
So with that in mind they might just be in the market for a replacement this January. Here’s five possible candidates.
Hector Herrera
One name that has been bandied about as a possible Ramsey replacement is Herrera.
Herrera started his career in Mexico with Pachuca before moving to the Portuguese capital, where he worked his way up the ranks at Porto.
These days the 28-year-old is Porto captain, and a star performer for the Primeira Liga giants. Herrera put himself on the global map in the summer with some strong performances for his nation at the World Cup.
He’s a tireless, box to box midfielder – very much an Emery player – capable of breaking up opposition attacks and springing his own.
Like Ramsey, Herrera’s contract is set to expire in the summer meaning he too could be available at a cut-price.
Miguel Almiron
He’s more of an attacking option, but Almiron is very much on Arsenal’s radar to replace Ramsey at the Emirates.
The 24-year-old has scored 12 goals this year for MLS side Atlanta United, who are close to winning the Eastern Conference.
Atlanta coach Tata Martino rates him so highly that he thinks Almiron has the potential to present the MLS in a brand new light.
He explained: “The moment when Miguel Almiron leaves and goes to your country [England] then I think there will be a different view of MLS.”
The Paraguay star would set the north London club back £15million, but he may not be able to hit the ground running due to injury.
Piotr Zielinski
Poland international Zielinski looked set to sign for Liverpool once upon a time, with Jurgen Klopp even going to visit him.
But the deal never worked out and Zielinski ended up signing for Napoli.
Since joining the Serie A giants the 24-year-old has gone from strength to strength – he benefited immensely working under now Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri.
Zielinski is calm and collected on the ball, and brilliant at bringing it forward to kick-start attacking transitions in play.
He’s also got a keen eye for a pass and draws fouls around the area, which the Gunners can capitalise from.
Zielinski would perhaps be an expensive option compared to the above listed players, and this could provide a potential stumbling block.
Adrien Rabiot
The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder is on the radar of a number of clubs what with his contract nearing expiration.
Like Ramsey and Herrera, the Frenchman would therefore be available for cheaper than he would otherwise be. His wages may be a stumbling block, though.
But it also means that Arsenal would have intense competition for his signature. One possible thing going in the Gunners’ favour is the fact that the midfielder played under Emery when he was Paris Saint-Germain boss.
He may therefore be keen to link back up with the Spaniard.