Aaron Ramsey has revealed that Liverpool were one of the clubs interested in signing him – but ultimately couldn’t afford his transfer fee.
The Welsh midfielder was one of the hottest prospects in British football after coming through the ranks with Cardiff, leading to an almighty transfer tussle between the Premier League’s biggest clubs.
Arsenal won the race in 2008, with Manchester United and Everton also holding discussions with the player over a £5million move.
United famously at the time announced they had reached an agreement with Cardiff regarding Ramsey, only for the midfielder to be wooed by Arsene Wenger.
That was despite Ramsey visiting United’s Carrington training ground with rumours claiming that it was, in fact, Gary Neville who had shown him around.
But appearing on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Ramsey revealed that wasn’t the case.
Asked if he looked around the Red Devils’ headquarters. the 33-year-old said: “Yeah, but it wasn’t Gary (Neville). I think he was busy that day!
“No, it was the assistant manager at the time.”
Asked if he met Sir Alex Ferguson, Ramsey added: “No, he was away at the time.
“He was on the phone a few times and tried to convince me to go there with the initial thought for them to loan me back, but I just wanted to go on then.”
Discussing the interest from Liverpool, the Welshman stated: “There were some discussions with Rafa [Benitez].
“But at the time they couldn’t really get to that fee – I think they could do something around the £1m or £2m mark, but then it went above that to £5m.
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“Rafa was very good and the presentation he gave was superb. I went to David Moyes‘ house as well, he was very accommodating.”
Ramsey went on to join Arsenal before making 369 appearances for the Gunners over 11 years at the club.
“Why Arsenal? I felt like he [Wenger] really wanted me,” Ramsey remarked.
“He was doing the Euros at the time and they flew me over there when he had a few hours off.
“We had lunch… everything about him and his vision and his plans.
“He had a really detailed plan and the amount of young players he brought through and have gone on was appealing to me.
“For example, [Cesc] Fabregas – so I felt really wanted by Arsenal.”
Ramsey would go on to win three FA Cups and two Community Shields, while seeing Arsenal finish as runners-up in both Premier League, League Cup and Europa League.
