Arsenal have added Como centre-back Jacobo Ramon to their list of potential defensive reinforcements, according to The Athletic. This comes after the club confirmed an extended period on the sidelines for William Saliba due to a back injury sustained while on international duty with France.
Mikel Arteta was already considering adding a central defender before Saliba’s injury, and the situation has seemingly accelerated those plans. Previous targets included John Stones, who now appears set to join Inter Milan, and Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, though a valuation gap exists between the two clubs.
Ramon, 21, progressed through the Real Madrid academy, making three first-team appearances for the Spanish giants in 2025. He joined Como last summer for a reported €2.5million (£2.2m) and quickly established himself as a key player for Cesc Fabregas’ side, making 32 Serie A appearances as they secured Champions League qualification for the first time in their history.
Chelsea had also previously shown interest in Ramon, with a connection through new Blues manager Xabi Alonso, who previously coached him in Real Madrid’s youth system. However, Chelsea are now reportedly nearing a £52m deal for Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix, potentially clearing the path for Arsenal. Any potential deal for Ramon could be complicated by Real Madrid, who retain a 50 per cent sell-on clause and a buy-back clause in any future transfer.
The transfer window closes on September 1, leaving Arsenal with limited time to assess Ramon and potentially secure his signature. Arteta may decide additional depth in the centre-back position is necessary given Saliba’s absence, making Ramon a viable option. The addition of Ramon would provide competition and cover in central defence, potentially strengthening Arsenal’s squad depth for a challenging season.
