Report: Bayern Munich close to signing Arsenal's Ramsey on free transfer
Bayern Munich appear close to adding another high-profile name for no fee.
The German giants believe they have won the race to sign departing Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey next summer, according to the Independent's Jack Pitt-Brooke.
The Wales international, who will turn 28 in December, will leave the Gunners at the end of this season upon the expiration of his current deal. Ramsey will then sign a "long-term contract" with Bayern which will take effect from the start of the 2019-20 campaign, according to Pitt-Brooke.
Ramsey's availability had piqued the interest of several clubs, reportedly including Arsenal's Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea, but it is the Bavarians who look to have won the race.
Bayern are no strangers to this type of deal, which, thanks to the lack of transfer fee, facilitates an offer of lucrative wages. In the summer, they signed Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka on a four-year contract, and they have also added the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Sebastian Rudy, and Sebastian Rode on similar deals in recent years.
Since joining Arsenal as a 17-year-old in 2008, Ramsey has played nearly 350 times for the north London club, scoring 59 goals.