Arsenal Eye Move for Como Star Jacobo Ramon London 2026

Key Points

• Arsenal interest: Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Como defender Jacobo Ramon as they seek to reinforce their right-sided defensive depth.
• Positional context: Following William Saliba’s back injury, Arsenal signed Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa to join Ben White, Jurrien Timber, and Cristhian Mosquera.
• Injury concerns: Persistent fitness issues for White, previous injuries for Timber, and a recent setback for Mosquera prior to the international break have driven Arsenal back into the transfer market.
• Transfer competition: Premier League rivals Chelsea are also reportedly tracking the 21-year-old Spanish centre-back.
• Real Madrid clauses: Real Madrid sold Ramon to Como in summer 2025 but retained an £8.5m (€9m) buyback option alongside a 50 per cent sell-on clause.
• Player stance: Ramon is focused on continuing his development under manager Cesc Fàbregas at Como, having turned down a return to Real Madrid last summer to avoid a fringe role.
• Contract and valuation: The defender is under contract until June 2030 and is valued at around £39m (€45m) by Transfermarkt.

Arsenal (North London News) September 30, 2026 – Arsenal are reportedly exploring a move to sign Spanish centre-back Jacobo Ramon from Serie A outfit Como as manager Mikel Arteta continues his search for defensive reinforcements ahead of upcoming transfer windows. As reported by Spanish news outlet AS, the North London club have set their sights on the 21-year-old defender and could launch a formal approach either in January or in the summer transfer window. However, any potential transfer remains complicated due to interest from London rivals Chelsea, a sell-on agreement, and a buyback option held by his former club, Real Madrid.

Why Are Arsenal Targetting Jacobo Ramon in the Transfer Market?

The Gunners’ interest in the 6ft 5in defender comes amidst ongoing roster management challenges within their backline. Following a significant back injury to crucial centre-back William Saliba, Arsenal moved to shore up their defensive stability by securing Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa in the summer transfer window.

Konsa’s arrival was intended to complement Arteta’s existing options on the right side of central defence, which include Ben White, Jurrien Timber, and Cristhian Mosquera. Nevertheless, persistent fitness complications have continued to affect White’s availability over recent seasons, while Timber has previously endured injury layoffs following his arrival from Ajax.

The immediate catalyst for Arsenal’s renewed scouting efforts occurred just before the international break, when Mosquera sustained an unexpected injury. With concerns regarding long-term squad depth, Arsenal executives have actively surveyed market opportunities for specialized right-footed defenders.

What Roadblocks Stand in the Way of a Deal for the Como Defender?

Despite Arsenal’s sustained interest, completing a transaction for the former Spain U21 international involves navigating a complex web of legal and transfer stipulations. As reported by journalist Conor Laird of Get Spanish Football News, Real Madrid retain an option to repurchase Ramon for approximately £8.5m (€9m), a clause inserted when the defender departed the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2025.

Furthermore, Real Madrid hold a 50 per cent sell-on clause, ensuring they derive financial benefit from any prospective transfer elsewhere. As noted by reporter Hazem Mlhem of Foot Africa, Real Madrid officials explored bringing Ramon back to Madrid to serve as their fourth-choice centre-back, but the player chose to remain at Como to guarantee regular first-team football under Cesc Fàbregas.

Arsenal also face domestic competition. Premier League rivals Chelsea have reportedly added Ramon to their transfer targets list following his strong tactical progression in Italy. On top of outside club interest, Como maintain a firm negotiating position; Ramon remains under contract at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia until June 2030, with Transfermarkt placing his current market valuation at approximately £39m (€45m).

How Has Jacobo Ramon Performed at Como?

Jacobo Ramon has enjoyed a rapid ascent since joining the Serie A side in July 2025. Standing at 1.96 metres tall, the Spaniard combines aerial authority with physical pace and comfort on the ball, attributes that align with Arteta’s tactical demand for defenders who can construct play from the back line.

During his debut 2025/26 campaign with Como, Ramon played a central role in guiding Fàbregas’ side to an unprecedented fourth-place finish in Serie A, securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League. Over the course of that season, Ramon registered 15 clean sheets across all competitions while scoring twice.

He has maintained that trajectory into the 2026/27 campaign, contributing defensive performances alongside a goal in six appearances, including early outings in the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Background of the Particular Development

Jacobo Ramon Naveros progressed through the youth academy at Real Madrid before featuring for their reserve side, Real Madrid Castilla. Despite making the first-team squad on select occasions, high competition in Madrid led to his permanent move to Italian football in July 2025 for a modest fee reported around £2.1m (€2.5m).

Under the tutelage of former Arsenal captain Cesc Fàbregas, Como emerged as one of the surprise packages in European football during the 2025/26 season. Fàbregas established a modern, possession-oriented style that relied on high defensive lines and ball-playing central defenders. Ramon quickly established himself as a starter, displaying maturity that attracted attention from elite European clubs.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s recruitment team under Arteta has prioritised physical profile, tactical flexibility, and ball-carrying ability in their defensive targets. Having experienced injury setbacks across their backline over successive campaigns, the Gunners continue to evaluate targets who can offer immediate coverage and long-term potential.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Arsenal Supporters and the Transfer Market

If Arsenal press forward with a concrete bid for Jacobo Ramon in January or the summer of 2027, the development will directly impact Arsenal supporters, the club’s defensive rotation, and the wider European transfer ecosystem.

For Arsenal supporters, securing a young, highly rated centre-back who fits the physical and technical profile required by Arteta would provide vital depth to alleviate squad strain caused by fixture congestion across domestic and European competitions. However, the presence of Real Madrid’s £8.5m buyback option means Los Blancos remain in control of the situation. Should Real Madrid decide to exercise their buyback clause to replace aging defenders such as Antonio Rüdiger, Arsenal may be forced to look elsewhere or pay a premium if Madrid elect to buy and instantly resell the player for a profit.

For Como and Cesc Fàbregas, retaining Ramon is vital for their ongoing UEFA Champions League and Serie A campaigns. A mid-season departure in January would disrupt their defensive cohesion, though a potential £39m+ transfer fee would represent a significant windfall for the Italian club. Should a bidding war materialize between Arsenal and Chelsea, it could drive up the young defender’s valuation, reinforcing how effective Serie A has become as a springboard for top European talent.