Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes the Gunners’ transfer spending last season may have cost them the chance to keep Aaron Ramsey.

The Welshman is expected to sign for Juventus on a free transfer after reportedly agreeing a five-year contract with the Italian club.

Gunners boss Unai Emery has stated that Arsenal can only sign players on loan this month, with reports suggesting that the club’s sizeable wage bill is the main culprit.

Keown, however, believes the £100m spent on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette is also a major contributing factor:

“Ramsey has conducted himself with great dignity this season but it is astonishing that Arsenal, a powerhouse in the English game, could not put together a package to keep him.”

“But the £100m spent to sign those players last season and hefty wages given to other star players has led to this situation.”

Ramsey confirmed back in October that Arsenal withdrew their contract offer, but he has remained part of the club’s first-team plans despite his impending departure from the Emirates.

Juve have reportedly given a £140,000 a week wage to the midfielder, which would make him the second best-paid player at the Serie A champions behind Cristiano Ronaldo.