Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale says they won't force Aaron Ramsey to move elsewhere, despite their reservations about selling the youngster to Arsenal.

"We would have much preferred him to remain as a Cardiff City player or returned here on loan next season had he gone somewhere else," Ridsdale told BBC Sport.

"The only deal with a loan-back option was with Manchester United, but ultimately it is up to the player to decide where he wants to go.

"In an ideal world I would have wished him to go to Manchester United were to he to leave us, but we have to be careful as we have relationships with Arsenal and want to do business with them in the future."

On the nature of Arsenal's bid, he added: "It is a very straightforward, no strings attached £5million cash offer - simple."