Sampdoria midfielder Dennis Praet is reportedly Arsenal’s No.1 choice to replace Aaron Ramsey after being priced out of other moves. The Gunners have made finding a new box-to-box midfielder the priority heading into the summer transfer window, with Ramsey having already agreed to join Juventus when his contract comes to an end.
Related: Foxes Enter Praet Race
It is understood head coach Unai Emery wanted to bring in Cagliari playmaker Nicolo Barella but that move is a non-starter due to Arsenal’s reluctance to meet his £43million asking price. The north Londoners have a limited budget heading into the off-season and the purse strings could be tightened even further should they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
With their limited budget in mind, the club have switched their attention to Sampdoria’s Praet, who was the subject of interest from Arsenal scouts when they went to watch Samp take on Lazio last weekend. The 24-year-old is understood to be available for a fee of £21.5million and Arsenal are hopeful he can be as successful as Lucas Torreira, who swapped Sampdoria for the Emirates Stadium last summer.
