LONDON -- Arsenal coach Unai Emery has admitted that it might be difficult for Aaron Ramsey to keep his focus during January's transfer window but called on the midfielder to only concentrate on his performances for the Gunners even as his long-term future may be decided.
Ramsey is out of contract in the summer and is free to commit to a pre-contract agreement in January, with Paris Saint-Germain the latest foreign club to be linked with a move for the Welshman after reported interest from Juventus and Bayern Munich.
Emery acknowledged that the transfer talk could become a distraction for Ramsey, who is Arsenal's longest-serving player, but urged him to stay focused on Saturday's trip to Liverpool and the games thereafter.
"The most important for every player is for their focus to be here," Emery told a news conference on Thursday.
"I think it's not easy for him, for Aaron. But I spoke with him, and we need his performance for us. He played yesterday [against Brighton] with a good spirit, like I want, and he helped us -- not to win, but he worked well and I'm happy. And I need this focus also from him to help us against Liverpool on Saturday and then against Fulham. And then his future is only for him, for his agent. But above all I want [him to] have his focus on helping us."
Ramsey has only seen limited playing time in recent months since Arsenal decided to rescind the offer of a contract extension, with L'Equipe reporting this week that PSG could make him an offer in January.
Juventus have also been linked with a move for the midfielder.