Arsenal to Replace Ramsey with Nicolo Barella or Franck Kessie

With Aaron Ramsey set to leave to Juventus on July 1st, Arsenal are looking to Nicolo Barella and Franck Kessie as potential replacements.

One of the toughest tasks that Arsenal will face this summer is coping with the loss of Aaron Ramsey, who has confirmed his move to Juventus on a free transfer for July 1st. Ramsey has been a key figure in the Arsenal first-team throughout this entire decade, and will leave a gaping hole in the team. While Arsenal do have Xhaka, Torreira, and Guendouzi still in the team, these 3 represent a more deeper, reserved type of midfielder, while Ramsey is a true attacking 8. The Arsenal hierarchy knows that a replacement is needed, and it seems they are scouting out Cagliari’s Nicolo Barella and Milan’s Franck Kessie as potential replacements.

Arsenal brought in Spanish midfielder Denis Suarez on loan in January, and with an option to buy in place, they likely would have been hoping that Suarez could replace Ramsey. This has not worked out whatsoever, as Suarez has hardly featured and doesn’t look like starting XI material, as many predicted.

Franck Kessie has had an up-and-down couple of years under Gennaro Gattuso at AC Milan, and after his bust-up with teammate Lucas Biglia, his future is uncertain. Kessie is still young with big potential, but with his price tag set to be in excess of £40 million, the Gunners should be wary.

Nicolo Barella would represent a slightly better deal, even if he costs a bit more. Arsenal reportedly sent scouts to watch Italy vs Finland this past weekend in order to get a good look at the midfielder. Barella has become one of the most complete midfielders in Italian football over the last year or so, and is garnering interest from some big clubs, including Chelsea.

Signing Barella would be huge for Arsenal, who would then have a midfield of Xhaka, Torreira, Guendouzi, and Barella, which has significant quality and longevity. This deal would cost up to £50 million however, which means Unai Emery’s team will likely have to secure Champions League football for next season in order to have any hope of completing it.

With Aaron Ramsey leaving Arsenal in just a few months, the Gunners will certainly have to sign a good central midfielder who can contribute in the buildup and between the lines. Franck Kessie and Nicolo Barella are both linked with the club and have quality, but the latter would be a slightly better signing due to his excellent form and his ability to contribute all across the park.