Newcastle United in ‘pole position’ to sign former Premier League midfielder as manager confirms exit

Newcastle United are the bookmakers’ favourite to sign former Arsenal and Cardiff City midfielder Aaron Ramsey after current boss Massimiliano Allegri confirmed the Welshman will leave this month.

He could be the second player the Magpies bring back to the Premier League this month with the signing of Kieran Trippier all but done, subject to an official announcement.

Allegri, who is currently in his second spell as manager of the Old Lady, confirmed that Ramsey, who has over 250 appearances in the Premier League, is an ‘outgoing player’.

Allegri said on Wednesday: “Ramsey returned today after his leave in England, but he is an outgoing player.”

Earlier in the week, it was reported that Ramsey had rejected Burnley’s formal approach to sign him, leaving the door wide open for another Premier League club to swoop in.

The 31-year-old, who signed for the Serie A club on a free transfer in 2019, has never fully got going in Turin - and is now set to leave.

Over the last two-and-a-half years, Ramsey has made 69 appearances, scoring six goals. However, this season his playing time has been severely limited, and over half-way into the season, he has played under 100 minutes for fifth-placed Juve.

The interest in Ramsey has been relatively low-key. Arsenal were linked with him but his return is in serious doubt due to the emergence of some top performances recently, most notably in the midfield.

After Ramsey turned down Sean Dyche’s Clarets, the bookmakers have made Newcastle the favourites to sign him.

Ramsey can add competition to Newcastle’s midfield and rival the likes of Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Willock for a starting spot.