Cardiff City have moved to as short as 2/1 to sign Aaron Ramsey by the end of the summer following reports the Bluebirds are due to throw their hat in the ring if he is to leave Juventus.
It is widely reported in Italy that Ramsey, 31, is deemed surplus to requirements in Turin, but given his quality he will clearly still be viewed as a prized asset to many clubs.
The Telegraph report that Cardiff have an "outside possibility" of signing the playmaker, and claim he is now part of the conversation along with Gareth Bale. The report adds that Ramey's future is currently "uncertain following his mixed loan spell at Rangers" and that he is "not thought to be part of Juventus' plans next season."
READ MORE : Rob Page to have conversation with Ramsey over his future amid Cardiff City links
It comes after reports in Italy claimed Juventus are ready to rip up Ramsey's contract in a bid to get his exorbitant £400,000-per-week wages off the bill for next season. Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport have claimed that negotiations have already started over terminating the player's contract a year early, with a severance package reportedly being thrashed out by all parties.
Clearly, the only way Cardiff could even begin to think about a deal to bring Ramsey back to his boyhood club would be if he was a free agent and, indeed, he was willing to make major sacrifices on wages. Nevertheless, the bookmakers have Cardiff as top of the odds list.
Ramsey has previously refused to rule out a return to his first club, where he rose through the academy ranks before making 22 appearances for the senior team. Back in April 2020, in an Instagram Q&A with fans, Ramsey said of a return to Cardiff: “They helped me become a professional footballer. So, why not? Who knows?”
Rangers, where the Welshman spent the back half of last season, are next at 4/1 with the bookies, however all the reports appear to suggest the Ibrox club are not particularly keen to bring him back permanently next term.
Everton have been a club which have previously been linked with the midfielder and they come in next at 6/1, slightly ahead of Southampton at 12/1. Leeds United are also in the mix at 16/1, again, the Yorkshire club were touted as a potential destination for the player back in January.
Derby County, in League One and managed by Wayne Rooney, appear an outside shot, with the bookmakers placing them at 33/1.
Much hinges on what happens in Turin over the coming days and weeks and whether Ramsey is in fact released as a free agent after agreeing some sort of severance package.
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Wales manager Rob Page on Tuesday said a conversation needs to be had with Ramsey, still one of his most important players, over his club career as he plans ahead of the World Cup in six months' time.
"At the end of the camp, at the end of the last game, I will maybe have that conversation with him," Page said. "They're experienced players. They'll know what's best for themselves. If he has to go back to do a pre-season to see where he's at then he'll probably do that.
"Maybe get himself fit and make that decision before the window closes to get out and maybe have another loan move or whatever. It's a conversation I'll have before we part after camp."
Aaron Ramsey next club odds
Cardiff City 2/1
Rangers 4/1
Everton 6/1
Southampton 12/1
Leeds United 16/1
Derby County 33/1
(Odds courtesy of SkyBet, correct at time of publication)
