'I spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson over Man Utd move – this is why I joined Arsenal instead'

Former midfielder opened up on how he was close to joining Sir Alex Ferguson's but was ultimately swayed by .

Welshman , emerging as a talented midfield player with his boyhood City, and catching the attention of England’s elite by becoming the second youngest finalist .

Both Wenger’s Gunners and Ferguson’s United were put on notice, and . Ramsey had been advised to join , and , despite reports suggesting that the Red Devils had agreed a fee themselves the week prior.

Yet, Ramsey’s career could have traversed a very different path had he instead opted for the arguably brighter lights of Old Trafford – or a left-field option of , who were supposedly also contenders for his signature – but Wenger’s track record and project were ultimately preferred.

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“[Ferguson] was on the phone a few times,” Ramsey stated, speaking about his move on Sky Sports' Monday Night . “But it was the assistant manager at the time [Rene Meulensteen].

“There were some discussions with Rafa (Benitez, Liverpool manager). But they couldn't really get to the fee. They could do something around the £1million or £2m mark, but I think it went towards the five, and that was the end of that.”

Ramsey's eventual landing at Arsenal was down to how the club dealt with young talent in the past and his long-time French manager’s vision for the Welshman.

“Why Arsenal? I felt like he (Wenger) really wanted me,” Ramsey added. “He was doing the Euros at the time, and they flew me over there when he had a few hours off.

“We had lunch... everything about him and his vision and his plans. He had a really detailed plan, and the number of young players he brought through and have gone on was appealing to me. For example, (Cesc) Fabregas – so I felt really wanted by Arsenal.”

The 33-year-old has opened up about his transfer as a teenager before, recalling when legendary Red Devils boss Ferguson personally sent him messages in an attempt to coax him into joining United.

"I was always a Cardiff supporter, but my dad was a Manchester United fan and I watched them quite a lot with him,” Ramsey told last year.

"It was a strange time in my life to have two teams I’d watched so much as a child showing interest in me. I spoke to both managers on the phone a few times. I was 17 years old, and I was getting voicemails from Fergie and Arsene Wenger! It was mad."

Ramsey carved out a stellar Arsenal career, playing over 350 times for the Gunners on the back of a series of loan moves, and scoring 64 goals. He won three FA Cup titles during his 11-year stay in north London, and went on the play in Italy for , before one-year stints with Rangers and OGC Nice.

Now back with boyhood Cardiff in the Championship, Ramsey still plays internationally for Wales and is on his way to a century of caps, with 86 currently to his name. Back in 2014, then Wales boss Chris Coleman and his assistant, Osian Roberts, spoke to Ramsey’s long-time admirer Ferguson, revealing that the Scotsman still regrets letting the midfielder sign for their top-flight rivals.

“He [Ferguson] had a strong interest in how Aaron is doing,” Roberts stated. “Because he was very close to signing him. He probably looks at it now as one that he lost out on and got away from him.”

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