Arsenal and Manchester United are both tracking Como centre-back Jacobo Ramon, a 21-year-old now valued at between €45 million and €50 million, but any move looks some way off.
The reigning Premier League champions are looking for more depth at the back as they try to defend their title and go one better in Europe after last season’s painful Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, as reported by NowArsenal, the Gunners are monitoring Ramon in Serie A, with United keeping a close eye on him too.
Why Arsenal are looking at Jacobo Ramon
Mikel Arteta has made it clear that Arsenal will not stand still, and he has said the club remain open to strengthening in January even with what many see as the strongest squad in the league.
His message has been consistent: competing on several fronts needs real depth in every area of the pitch, and that includes the defence. The recruitment team have been scanning the continent for centre-back options, and that search has led them to Italy.
Ramon left Real Madrid for Como and has grown into a key player under former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, helping the club secure Champions League qualification last season. He is now one of the most sought-after young defenders in Italian football. We first made the case for him back in May, when we argued Fabregas had found the perfect partner for William Saliba.
Manchester United and Chelsea in the queue
Arsenal are not alone. United’s interest has run alongside scouting from Chelsea, with all three English clubs following his progress throughout the year.
Not every report agrees on how hot the trail is, though. Some suggest Arsenal’s interest has cooled since the spring, when the Gunners were first linked, so this is a name to monitor rather than a deal in motion.
It is a familiar picture for the Gunners this autumn. They were recently told that Desire Doue is not for sale at PSG, with Chelsea and Manchester City given the same answer, and the striker hunt has them tracking Club Brugge’s Nicolo Tresoldi as well.
Real Madrid’s hold over Jacobo Ramon
The biggest obstacle sits in Spain. Real Madrid put a buyback clause into the deal that took Ramon to Como, along with a 50 per cent sell-on clause that would hand them half of any future fee.
That buyback lets Madrid bring him back to the Bernabeu in the summer of 2027 or 2028, which makes any immediate move for Arsenal or United far more complicated.
Como are under no pressure to cash in either. Ramon is reportedly under contract until 2030, and his rising profile is what has pushed his valuation up to the €45 million to €50 million range. That is within reach for clubs the size of Arsenal and United, but it is still serious money for a young defender.
No rush from Como or the player
For all the interest, a deal is nowhere near close. Ramon has said he is happy at Como and is not thinking about his long-term future right now, and the Serie A club have shown no urgency to open talks.
Verdict: Jacobo Ramon is a summer story, not a January one
I like the profile. A centre-back who has kicked on under Fabregas, plays Champions League football and is still only 21 ticks a lot of the boxes Arteta looks for.
But the numbers do not add up for January. Como do not need to sell, the player is settled, and Madrid’s buyback and 50 per cent cut mean Arsenal would be paying close to €50 million while Real effectively keep a hand on the steering wheel. If the Gunners are serious, the smart play is to keep watching and see what Madrid decide before 2027.
