Ramsey opts for Gunners

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The 17-year-old Cardiff midfielder was given the option of joining any of the Barclays Premier League trio after they met the Welsh club's valuation, thought to be around £5million.

And a statement on www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk read: "Cardiff City were informed on Friday morning that Aaron Ramsey's preferred destination this summer is at the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal."

It continued: "We will now continue the dialogue with the Gunners with a view to Aaron's move being completed.

"The move, unlike other options, however, does not include a loan-back period at Ninian Park for the 2008-09 season."

The Gunners were reported to have flown the Welshman out to Basle at the weekend for discussions with Wenger, who is in Switzerland and Austria to fulfil media commitments at Euro 2008.

But it appears his mind had already been made up by then.

A potential sticking point to the transfer appears to be Arsenal's unwillingness to loan Ramsey back to City next season - something which, in their statement, the Championship club suggested United and Everton would agree to.

After making his Bluebirds debut as a substitute against Hull in April 2007, Ramsey made 21 appearances last season, scoring twice.