Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey says he is still none the wiser why the Gunners withdrew their contract offer to him.
The Welsh international believes he was close to agreeing a new deal to remain at the Emirates before the club took their proposal off the table:
“We all know that the contract was taken away off the table. I’m not sure exactly why because a few weeks before we sort of agreed and I was ready to sign. Something happened, I am not sure what.”
Fans on Twitter believe that Ramsey was just demanding too much money:
Took too long to commit. Stalled and tried to hold the club to ransom. Not on our watch son!
— Söldiiier (@Soldiiier) 26 October 2018
He tried holding the club at ransom demanding near 200k. @UnaiEmery_ saw that he was not performing to a level that would justify that and told the club to withdraw the contract. Bye bye.
— Flyicarus (@Flyicarus1) 27 October 2018
He's playing the sympathy card lmaoo you wanted more money, your agent wanted more money. Yall f up, simple as that. No more being held hostage by average players and overpaying them. So bye @aaronramsey
— Eric ? (@EmperorEF) 26 October 2018
Because Emery relised you are not good enough.
— Hikmet Saaid (@WengerOUUUT) 26 October 2018
It's best if he goes…
— Dadda?⚪ (@Timar23873097) 27 October 2018
Ramsey is now feeling humble & sober lol??
— OGINGA EVANS (@evanskart8ngal) 26 October 2018
Tbf he's had his time at arsenal.Time to move on. No bad feelings.
— Wilson Mwamodo ????? (@Will_Modo) 26 October 2018
Others are still hoping that the club will agree a contract extension with the 27-year-old before the end of the season:
Can't we just put whatever contract that was taken off the table back?
I feel strongly Ramsey would love to stay.— #SundayGanyo (@eyezmode) 26 October 2018
I hope they can come to some sort of agreement again
— Unai's Gunmen (@Anonymous1076) 26 October 2018
If we let him go there will be many short term memory Arsenal fans saying about his play away from the Emirates “why didn’t he do that for us?” Keep him!!!
— dadinthemorningglenn (@dadinthemornin1) 26 October 2018
It was reported at the time that Arsenal’s wage budget was the main driving force behind the club withdrawing their offer to Ramsey.
With the team not in the Champions League, the cost of player salaries would have to be curtailed. It means that the Gunners may consider offloading the midfielder in the January transfer window rather than allowing him to leave for nothing in the summer.
Juventus, AC Milan, Liverpool and Manchester United have all been linked with a move for the Welshman.
