Arsenal and Chelsea circle as Real Madrid ‘no-brainer’ rejects return
Real Madrid thought they had a €9 million route to signing Jacobo Ramon from Como, but the player himself has complicated that deal, potentially leaving Arsenal and Chelsea with a chance of landing the promising centre-back.
Ramon moved to Cesc Fabregas’ Como from Real Madrid last summer in a deal worth just €2.5 million. The Serie A side acquired 50% of his rights in a move that echoed the agreement that took Nico Paz to Italy initially for a bargain fee.
But while Jose Mourinho’s side might be exploring ways to lure Ramon back to Spain, AS reports that the 21-year-old has sent a ‘clear message’ that he is not willing to go back for the moment.
Ramon ready to reject Real Madrid as Arsenal and Chelsea circle
Arsenal and Chelsea have shown interest from the Premier League, although there has been no formal contact with Como over a deal.
Ramon, meanwhile, has set down a clear requirement to be an important player at whatever club he is at.
For the moment, the Spanish report says he is focusing on his development at Como and will only consider moves next summer.
Ramon was described as a ‘no-brainer signing for Real Madrid’, but his desire for regular first-team football could negate the trump card Los Blancos thought they still had to play - a €9m buy-back option for the Spaniard that becomes active next summer.
They had a similar agreement with Como for Nico Paz, yet the Italian side elected to buy the Argentine playmaker on a permanent basis for a €60m fee.
Ramon will not be easy for any club to prise away from Como, having expressed his happiness at the club during May.
“I see myself here,” he said in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport before praising head coach Cesc Fabregas.
“He’s a great coach, a winner, someone who always gives you the right energy and clear instructions on the pitch. The coach took us far by making us feel like a family, creating a group where everyone sacrifices for one another. That was and still is our strength. Fabregas definitely gave us a style of play, and we stayed true to it. We believed the results would come, and we were right.”
Why Ramon is seen as such a precious talent
Ramon is a solid all-round defender who is known for his willingness to be involved in physical duels and his solidarity in the air – two key attributes that Chelsea and Arsenal will be monitoring ahead of a potential move to the Premier League.
He is also quick and has excellent stamina, making him perfect for England’s top flight.
Data analytics firm SciSports rates Ramon highly. It gives the Como star a potential SciSkill of 125.7 at his peak, which, if achieved today, would put him behind only William Saliba and Gabriel in a ranking of the world’s best central defenders.
Among defenders aged 21 or under, he ranks as the third best in the world behind Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi and Real Madrid’s Dean Huijsen, underlining why big clubs are keeping a close eye on him.
