Unai Emery wants to sign Ever Banega to replace Aaron Ramsey in the Arsenal team, according to reports.

The Daily Mail write that Arsenal want to sign the Sevilla midfielder and Unai Emery believes the 30-year-old could play a ‘key role’ for the team. Aaron Ramsey‘s contract is set to expire in 2019 and, with no hint that an extension is on the way, Banega looks like the current favourite to take the Welshman’s place.

This is far from the first we’ve heard about links between Arsenal and Banega. Over the summer the media consistently linked the Argentina international with a move to North London. Emery reportedly even contacted him personally to try and win him over.

The player’s father has since confirmed those rumours, telling the Spanish media that Arsenal ‘got in touch’ during the World Cup. At the time, Banega didn’t want to go, since he’s happy in Seville. However, Banega Sr. refused to rule out a possible move in the future, if talks over the player’s contract continue to stall.

Banega has a €20m release clause, so Arsenal’s tight budget shouldn’t cause problems this time. It’s just about convincing the player to leave a club where he feels comfortable. Perhaps the opening in the team created by Ramsey’s imminent departure will help. We’ll see.