BURNLEY and Aston Villa remain in talks over a permanent transfer for ex-Middlesbrough loanee Aaron Ramsey.
Villa winger Ramsey impressed on loan at the Riverside in the second half of last season and had Villa sanctioned another temporary switch for the 20-year-old, Boro and several other Championship clubs would have no doubt gone to battle for his signature.
But it appears Ramsey has played his way to a Premier League switch, with newly promoted Burnley having made a move for the flanker.
The Clarets and Villa are said to be in talks over a £12m move which could, according to reports, include his current club inserting a buy-back clause.
Ramsey hasn't made a first team appearance for Villa but impressed on loan at Norwich in the first half of last season before shining for Boro after making the switch to the Riverside in January.
Ramsey only made 11 appearances for Michael Carrick's side, but scored five goals and added an assist before his season was cut short by injury. He was sorely missed as Boro came up short in the play-offs.
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While Boro would love to have re-signed Ramsey on loan this season, the priority on Teesside between now and the end of the summer transfer window is strengthening up-front and left-back, replacing Cameron Archer and Ryan Giles who, like Ramsey, were key players during their loan spells at the Riverside last term.
Giles has signed for Luton Town this summer while Unai Emery last month suggested he planned to keep Archer at Villa Park this season rather than sell the striker or sanction another loan.
If Burnley do sign Ramsey, it's not clear what that means for the future of Sunderland winger Jack Clarke. The Clarets had bids knocked back for Clarke earlier this summer.
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