Aaron Ramsey’s hopes of a reunion with Andrea Pirlo have been dashed after his boss admitted they “gave up” trying to sign the midfielder.
Fatih Karagumruk side emerged as a shock contender to sign the Wales international, after ex-Juventus boss Pirlo was named as their new head coach. Ramsey is desperate to make a move this summer, having fallen out with Bianconeri bosses.
Paul Pogba’s imminent arrival looks sure to push the Welsh international even further down the pecking order, having made just three appearances in Serie A all of last season. Ramsey was granted a temporary reprieve in January, when he signed for Rangers on loan for the remainder of the season.
However, after arriving to much fanfare, the former Arsenal star struggled for fitness during his stay in Glasgow and ended his time by missing a spot-kick in their Europa League final defeat in Seville.
Juve bosses are keen to get the 31-year-old off the wage bill and there have been suggestions that they are preparing to rip up his contract. Even that appears tricky though, with Ramsey holding out for significant compensation should they decide to end his spell prematurely.
Karagumruk then appeared as a potential exit route for all parties, but having held lengthy discussions, that transfer will now not go ahead as planned. Club president Suleyman Hurman admitted that a deal had been all-but agreed, before it was shelved. "We practically reached the stage of an agreement with Ramsey but then we gave up,” he revealed.
Ramsey joined the Old Lady back in 2019 after his contract with the Gunners expired. He was signed to a huge four-year deal worth £325,000-per-week but has failed to ever truly match that lofty salary.
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While a Juventus exit seems inevitable this summer, there is still some work to be done when it comes to finding his next club. The Telegraph mooted that Cardiff City were outsiders to bring him back to the Welsh capital, as they try and entice his international team-mate Gareth Bale to join the Championship club.
That double deal would send shockwaves across European football, given the standing of two of Wales’ greatest ever players. Bale is understood to have held provisional talks with Bluebirds boss Steve Morison earlier this week, having attended their training base to see FAW physios.
As well as potentially linking up at Cardiff, the pair are also being lined up for coaching roles with the Welsh FA in a bid to inspire the next generation of budding superstars. Technical director David Adams revealed that following this winter's World Cup - the Dragons’ first since 1958 - Ramsey and Bale will be encouraged to obtain their coaching badges.
"I was speaking to Gareth and Aaron away in Holland recently and they are really keen to do their coaching B and A licences in Wales - hopefully after the World Cup," Adams explained. "I hope on the back of that we will be able to utilise their experiences to support our young players.
“I know Gareth and Aaron are extremely proud Welshman and I am sure they will be knocking my door down to come and speak to the players to get them advice and support.
"To have those people inspiring the next generation of young players is a fantastic asset to the future development of our game in Wales. It's great for us. I won't bother them before the World Cup about the coaching courses and coming to help on the player pathway. But I'll be getting onto them straight away after."
