Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey will join Juventus at the end of the season having agreed a deal worth £400,000-a-week with the Serie A giants.
The Wales international is poised to become the highest-paid British player in history when he leaves the Gunners at the end of the season.
Standard Sport’s chief football correspondent James Olley understands Manchester United and Liverpool were among a clutch of clubs interested in signing the 28-year-old midfielder.
But the Welshman’s huge wage at Juventus explains in part why both Liverpool and United declined to follow up longstanding interest in the midfielder last month.
Jurgen Klopp is an admirer or Ramsey’s energy and penetration from midfield but with Liverpool pushing for a Premier League title challenge, he opted against adding another option to an area of the team in which he is well stocked.
United enquired about Ramsey last summer but have since sacked Jose Mourinho and were reluctant to commit significant funds until a permanent successor is found.
Confirmation of Ramsey’s exit is expected in the next 24 hours and he will leave this summer ending an 11-year stay after joining in a £5m deal from Cardiff in 2008.
