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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Tom Coleman

Aaron Ramsey's first words as a Rangers player as 'magnitude' of club gazumped other transfer offers

Wales star Aaron Ramsey says the chance to play European football in front of a massive fanbase was the main factor in convincing him to turn down offers from elsewhere to join Rangers.

The 31-year-old is set to stay at Ibrox until the end of the season, with the Scottish champions also securing an option to buy, believed to be around £4.6m.

According to The Sun, Juventus will pay the bulk of the player's £400,000-a-week wages in return for a £2m loan fee. The option to buy could also be come permanent should Rangers retain their league title.

The move brings an end to weeks of speculation around the midfielder's future, which initially appeared to point towards a return to the Premier League.

Newcastle United, Burnley, Wolves and Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa were among those touted as potential destinations, while reports in Germany had hinted at interest from Borussia Dortmund.

Approaches from several clubs in La Liga and Serie A were also believed to be on the table, alongside interest from Turkish giants Fenerbahce and Galatasaray.

However, it's Rangers that have won the race for the Wales international, who will be hoping to rekindle a club career stalled by a disappointing spell in Turin.

A combination of injury and Covid-19 has restricted the former Arsenal star to just five appearances this season, with Massimiliano Allegri admitting that the Welshman was not in his plans at the club.

Ramsey could even make his debut in Wednesday's clash with Old Firm rivals Celtic.

Speaking after his unveiling, Ramsey said he'd turned down a number of other offers to seal the move to Ibrox: “I am really pleased to be joining a club like Rangers, where there is so much to look forward to between now and May.

“I had a number of offers on the table, but none matched the magnitude of this club, with European football and the chance to play in front of 50,000 fans every other week.

“I have had some fantastic conversations with the manager and Ross Wilson, and I’m really looking forward to working with both of them, and to meeting the supporters.

Manager, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, added: “I’m absolutely delighted that we have been able to add a player of Aaron’s quality, experience and leadership to our squad.

“As soon as it was mooted as a possibility, I was really keen for us to try everything to get the deal done, and huge credit must go to Ross and to the Board for the work they have put in on this.

“I look forward to welcoming Aaron to the training centre tomorrow.”

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