I got this off a players profile site that the Ed's on football rumours do for Liverpool fans, though as we all know the website is **** the Ed's actually know a lot about Liverpool and as a result have done a handy little lot of info about Ramirez, as despite their adamant denials they definitely want him.
There is also a load of comments at the bottom of the page so if you’re interested here is the link.
http://www.player-profiles.co.uk/gaston-ramirez.php
Gaston Ramirez
Date of Birth: - 2nd December 1990
Height: - 6ft 0inches
Position: - Attacking midfielder
Nationality: - Uruguayan
Current Club: - Bologna
Estimated Market Value: - Around 16 million pounds.
Linked With:
- Liverpool FC
- Juventus
- Manchester City
- Napoli
- Wolfsburg
Club Statistics
Penarol:
2008/2009 season - 4 appearances, 0 goals.
2009/2010 season - 26 appearances, 6 goals.
TOTAL - 30 appearances, 6 goals.
Bologna:
2010/2011 season - 28 appearances, 5 goals.
2011/2012 season - 30 appearances, 8 goals and 6 assists.
TOTAL - 58 appearances, 13 goals.
General Comments:
Before the 2011/2012 season, not many people had heard the name Gaston Ramirez. However, that's all changed now. In just one year, he has been deemed as a Serie 'A' wonder-kid, as he is just a fantastic player. I've seen him compared as 'The Uruguayan Kaka' and for me, that doesn't cover it. I've watched him progress throughout the year in the Italian league, and he really has impressed me.
Most notably, his power on the ball, and his skill are truly evident. Ramirez has done skills that the even the Premier League is yet to see, and what I mean by that is he seems to just conjure up random skills that he spontaniously creates and just leaves the defender absolutely baffled. I myself am a spectator am baffled at what he can do with the ball at his feet, as he really isn't a traditional player - he just seems to cover so much area in the middle, and always looking to attack, whether it be individually or collectively as a team by picking through-balls. Ramirez also has extremely quick feet and to top it off, has one hell of a finish.
Although he is an Attacking Midfielder, I've seen Ramirez play on both wings and has been absolutely brilliant and worked the line fantastically. As I covered in the previous paragraph, he just seems to cover so much area, and his versatility is a massive part of that. No matter how many adjectives I think of, it wouldn't sum up how highly I rate this kid, as at the age of 21 years old and to do the things he does with the ball is class. Utter, class.
On the flip side, I'd say that Ramirez' physical attributes may need some work if he is to make his 'big summer switch', especially to the Premier League (if he comes to the PL that is). That seems to be the main weakness of his game to be honest, as he seems to get pushed around fairly often, and I have noticed he can be prone to 'going down very easily'. I would also say that he needs to work on the defensive side of his game, as if he plays on one of the wings, I don't see him tracking back or acting as a shield for the LB/RB, which for me certainly needs some work.
Would Ramirez cut it in the Premier League? - Serie 'A' is certainly not what it once was, so it's very difficult to judge, but for the fee of around 16 million pounds, I'd say he's definitely worth the risk because he has the potential to be a world class player. I would say that Ramirez would cut it in the Premier League, if he can improve his physical strength.
Summary of Ramirez:
Strengths - Pace, Vision, Skill, First-Touch, Finishing-Ability and Passing Ability.
Weaknesses - Physical Strength, Defensive Covering, Tackling Ability, Work Ethic (defensively).
The Business End of the Profile
I know this is the bit all of you have been waiting for. There has been some extreme talks about him recently, mainly about Liverpool putting in a bid etc, but this section I'll clear up any details from what is BS, and what isn't.
As I understand it, Bologna are currently locked in talks with 2 clubs. Juventus and Napoli. Now, this doesn't mean that Ramirez will certainly sign for either one of them, as it doesn't. Manchester City have also held talks with Bologna, although those talks seem to have come to a stop, which to me indicates that interest may well be passing.
Now the Liverpool interest seems a little more complex. As I understand it, Liverpool have had him watched several times, and even enquired for Ramirez in January, where Bologna told them to come back at the end of the season as they were not willing to discuss his transfer until then. The question is though, will Liverpool come back into the race? Only time will tell to be honest with you. I know there's been lots of 'premonitions' recently on Tw*tter that state that Ramirez has certainly signed etc, and a bid has been made, and this, and that, and bla bla bla, but simply, this is not true. As of today, there has been no bid made from Liverpool for Ramirez. I would also say, and I know I will get a lot of grief for this, but Ramirez' arrival may depend on Suarez' departure. Whether Liverpool fans like it or not, there is a very real possibility Suarez will be sold and Juventus looks set to bid for him very soon (as covered in the Krasic profile), although I expect this particular bid to be rejected. Nevertheless, if Suarez is eventually sold, then I expect Liverpool to go all out to sign Ramirez - although it may be too late by that time.
At the moment, I would say that Ramirez doesn't look set for any club at the moment, and as of today Wolfsburg has entered talks with Ramirez' agent, and have arranged a conversation with Bologna also regarding a move. I know also that as of today, Napoli have stopped negotiations, whereas Juventus are still trying to push.