Manchester United have rejected the chance to sign Aaron Ramsey in a swap deal for Nemanja Matic, reports claim.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been looking to add a new central midfielder to his ranks all summer. With Scott McTominay and Fred regulars at the base of midfield, the United boss reportedly wants one man who can do the job of both. In turn, Solskjaer wants United to play in a more attack-minded way.
However, despite long-standing links with Ramsey, Solskjaer seemingly does not feel the Welshman is what he is looking for.
Indeed, Juventus offered United the chance to sign Ramsey as part of a swap deal. In return, Juventus wanted to bring Nemanja Matic to Turin.
The Serb has dropped a long way down the pecking order at Old Trafford, behind both Fred and McTominay in the ranks. Indeed, some observers feel the 33-year-old’s best days are a long way behind him.
Restricted to just 20 Premier League appearances last season, Matic looks set for an increasingly-reduced role this.
However, Solskjaer has opted to keep him around rather than agree to Juventus’ reported swap attempts.
That’s a stance backed up by Duncan Castles on the Transfer Window Podcast.
He revealed: “Juventus have during the summer proposed a swap deal for Nemanja Matic which would have seen Aaron Ramsey going the other way for United. It was rejected by the Manchester club.”
The news will come as a blow for Ramsey, who is reportedly seeking a return to the Premier League. His move to Juve has not gone as he’s hoped and his first-team prospects are unlikely to improve under Massimiliano Allegri.