With Aaron Ramsey’s Arsenal contract set to run out in 2018, talk has begun to turn to the Welshman’s future.

Real Madrid were linked with a €30m move for the midfielder earlier in the week and while most Gooners’ initial reaction was to say no way, after some thought, I started to consider whether Arsenal should actually be so eager to hold onto Ramsey.

Since signing for Arsenal from Cardiff in 2008, Rambo has made 271 appearances, scoring 43 goals and assisting 42.

His time in north London has been considerably hampered by injury ever since Ryan Shawcross snapped his leg in February 2010 and he’s found it hard to reach the potential he was destined to.

During the 2013/14 season, the midfielder reached what was probably the best form of his career so far. He scored 10 Premier League goals and assisted nine. He was quickly noticed as one of the best out-and-out midfielders in Europe and links with a number of top European clubs began the emerge.

Arsenal's Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey (L) challenges Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian defender Marquinhos (R) during the UEFA Champions League group A football match between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 23, 2016. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey (L) challenges Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian defender Marquinhos (R) during the UEFA Champions League group A football match between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 23, 2016. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)

Gooners thought Rambo had finally reached his potential and the only way was up.

However, the injury-prone 25-year-old has since struggled to reach the heights of that season, showing moments of brilliance but otherwise looking rusty or off the pace.

Of course, he has been shuffled around and shoe-horned into the side, which isn’t his fault, but you do have to wonder how long we persevere.

If Real were to approach Arsenal with €30m – perhaps more – and ask for the Welshman now, would we say no? SHOULD we say no?

I’m becoming less and less convinced that Ramsey’s future is in north London.