Arsenal and Wales legend Aaron Ramsey wants new Nice deal after rebuilding career in France following Juventus hell
AARON RAMSEY wants to extend his stay in Nice by signing a new contract.
The Wales captain, 32, joined the French club on a 12-month deal last summer following a nightmare spell with Juventus.
But injury-plagued Ramsey has managed to stay fit for the majority of the Ligue 1 season to make 34 appearances across all competitions for Nice.
The former Arsenal star said: “Things have panned out quite nicely this season.
“We have worked hard, the coaches, medical staff and myself to make sure that I am in my best shape to go out and play.
“That communication has been key. Managing my load throughout the week has been important. It’s been a real team effort.
“I feel good and that’s backed up by the amount of minutes and games I have played this year.”
Ramsey added: “I feel very comfortable at the moment. Playing games, having opportunities and the coaches have been great to me.
“They have given me a few days off here and there to go back and see my family. That’s been a challenge, there’s no doubt about that.
“Football-wise, it’s a great club and it’s going in the right direction and this year we have taken a step forward so there’s no problems with that point of view.
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“Of course, I’d like to be a part of that. I’m sure we will be in discussions at the end of the season.”
A key factor in those talks for Ramsey will be whether his family join him on a permanent basis in the south of France.
His wife Colleen and their three children have remained in Wales since he moved to Rangers in January 2022.
When asked if his family would move to the Cote d’Azur, Ramsey added: “Of course, there’s a lot of decisions to make at the end of the season and what is best for me and my family.
“It’s not an easy thing to get that balance right. But that’s definitely something we will look into and is definitely an option.
“We will see. Let’s finish off the season and then we can go from there.”
While Ramsey is happy at Nice, Argentina superstar Lionel Messi is to leave the French top-flight and leaders Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Ramsey said: “He’s still a Paris player at the moment.
“I can’t comment on speculation. That’s their problem and his. That’s nothing to do with me.”
Nice, who beat Rennes 2-1 on Saturday, are eighth in the table but caretaker boss Dider Digard’s side, owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos, reached the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League.
Ramsey added: “In spells this season we have seen what this team and club are capable of doing.
“Now it’s about getting consistency over the course of a season and taking the next step of competing and fighting for Champions League places or the league. That’s the next step for this club to take.
“The coach has come in with his staff and done a fantastic job. It’s not easy to come in mid-season and to go on the run we went on to arrive at a quarter-finals.
“He’s been a player, he understands and he knows what is important to do and how to get the best out of the team. He’s been brilliant and there would be no arguments to see him there next season.”
Ramsey has only scored once for Nice – back in August against Toulouse and knows his stats should be better.
He said: “The way I play and the attacking opportunities that I like to get into, I would have liked to have scored more goals this season.
“There’s still a few games left to get a few but on the whole I’ve had some opportunities.
“Going forward, scoring more goals and killing the game when we have that opportunity is something we can improve on as a team.
“I know I have the capability of scoring goals and I want to score more.”
Ramsey’s Wales are in talks to play South Korea in a Cardiff friendly in September before they travel to Latvia in a Euro 2024 qualifier.
Wales chief executive Noel Mooney said: “We’re really close to agreeing to playing in Cardiff in September against South Korea, which Jurgen Klinsmann manages.
“We are hoping we can announce that quite soon. We’re close but it’s not done yet.”