A 21-year-old centre-back who is scoring in Serie A will have a queue. The club that owns the buy-back still sits at the front of it.
January talks only happen if the selling side will pick up the phone. Some agents expect a call. Others expect a flat refusal until the summer.
Staying another year is a decision. It is not a promise that the decision holds.
Chelsea are “particularly keen” on Como’s Jacobo Ramon, the 21-year-old wanted by Arsenal and Manchester United, according to Mark Brus in The Daily Briefing. Talk Chelsea reports that all three are “names to watch in the race to sign one of Serie A’s top young talents.”
“Chelsea in particular remain keen on Ramon,” Brus writes. “And some figures in the industry expect them to try opening talks over a deal ahead of January. Others insist this is unlikely as Como will flat-out refuse to negotiate anything until at least the summer.”
Ramon has been in excellent form under Cesc Fabregas, including a goal against Parma. Summer links to the Premier League were strong. He has since said he is fully focused on Como and wanted to stay another year. Real Madrid hold a buy-back. The usual expectation is that Madrid exercise it and then either use him or sell him on. Whether Chelsea can jump that queue depends on the clause.
Arsenal’s interest is not new. TEAMtalk have had them watching the Real Madrid academy graduate, and a Como official has said there is no agreement with Madrid that blocks a move, only the buy-back. No fee has been published. No bid has been reported this week.
The defensive picture in north London explains why the name stays on a list. William Saliba is targeting a November return from a back problem. Gabriel played 90 minutes for Brazil in a 4-2 win over Australia and is on an individual plan this week. Ezri Konsa was left out of England’s squad after a minor issue. Piero Hincapie, Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera have all been managed. A 21-year-old who can play now is relevant. A 21-year-old Como will not discuss until June is not a January fix.
Chelsea’s need is more urgent, which is why Brus singles them out. Arsenal can wait for the buy-back to be resolved and for Saliba to prove he is back at 100 per cent. Until Como open talks or Madrid name a price, Ramon stays in Serie A, scoring for Fabregas, with three Premier League clubs and his former club all watching the same clause.