Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes the Gunners are lining up a replacement for Aaron Ramsey.

The TV pundit and newspaper columnist says that he wasn’t happy that the London club withdrew their contract offer to the Welshman, but he thinks it must mean that there are plans in place to replace him:

“I wasn’t comfortable with the fact that Arsenal withdrew their contract offer but now that decision has been made, the club clearly want to bring someone else in next month. January seems to have been dismissed as a bad month to do business but do not forget that it was this time last year that Liverpool signed Virgil van Dijk.”

Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega has been the player most heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates next month. The 30-year-old has worked with Arsenal manager Unai Emery before at Valencia, as well as Sevilla.

Reports in Italy suggest that Juventus are keen to secure Ramsey on a pre-contract agreement. The Wales international is able to talk to foreign clubs within a few days, although the Gunners may be hoping to offload him in January instead.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a departure next month to Paris Saint-Germain, with the French club keen to strengthen their midfield.