Cardiff starlet Ramsey to snub United and Everton to join Arsenal in £5m deal

Peter Ridsdale admits he wanted Aaron Ramsey to join Manchester United but reluctantly agreed to his £5million transfer to Arsenal.

Embarrassingly for United, they announced on their website that they had struck a deal with Cardiff to sign the 17-year-old midfielder and left the impression they had beaten off the competition.

The Old Trafford club planned to loan him straight back to the Bluebirds to spend another year developing his game in the Championship.

But Arsene Wenger turned his charm on Ramsey and convinced him to spurn rivals United with a promise to throw him straight into his first-team squad. Ramsey is set to sign for Arsenal today.

'We would have much preferred him to remain as a Cardiff City player or returned here on loan next season,' said Cardiff chairman Ridsdale.

'The only deal with a loan back option was with Manchester United but ultimately it was up to the player. In an ideal world I would have wished him to go to Manchester United were he to leave us but we have to be careful.

'We have relationships with Arsenal and want to do business with them in the future.'

Ramsey chose Arsenal ahead of United and Everton and informed Ridsdale yesterday.

Liverpool and Newcastle had also shown interest in the teenager who established himself at Ninian Park as Cardiff reached the FA Cup Final last season.

'We now continue the dialogue with the Gunners with a view to Aaron's move being completed,' said a Cardiff spokesman. 'We would like to wish Aaron every success in the top flight.'

Theo Walcott opted to join Wenger in January 2006, when he was also pursued by the top clubs in the country, but it was more than two years before he made any real impact on the Arsenal first team.

Welsh starlet Ramsey is slightly older than England international Walcott was but again it is Wenger's reputation for nurturing young talent which clinched the deal.

Cesc Fabregas and Gael Clichy are prime examples of teenagers who have thrived since moving to Arsenal.

But as long as the jury remains out on Walcott, the doubts will linger about Wenger's ability to develop British youngsters in the same way and bring them into his team.

On the nature of Arsenal's bid, Ridsdale added: 'It is a very straightforward, no strings attached £5m cash offer.'

Cardiff do not expect Ramsey's departure to begin a summer exodus.