Aaron Ramsey is set to join Arsenal in a £5 million deal after rejecting offers from Manchester United and Everton

The highly-rated 17-year-old Cardiff City midfielder decided on a move to the Emirates after flying to Switzerland for talks with Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, who is at Euro 2008.

A Cardiff City statement read: "Cardiff City were informed on Friday morning that Aaron Ramsey's preferred destination is at the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal.

"We will now continue the dialogue with the Gunners with a view to Aaron's move being completed. The move, unlike other options, does not include a loan back period at Ninian Park for the 2008-09 season.

"We would like to wish Aaron every success in the top-flight."

Peter Ridsdale, the Cardiff chairman, admitted he would have prefered United's deal that allowed Ramsey to return to the club on loan for a season.

"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 said.

"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.

"It is a very straightforward, no strings attached five million pounds cash offer - simple."

Ramsey, a Wales Under-21 international. is the youngest player in Cardiff's history after making his debut aged 16 against Hull City in April 2007. He sprang to prominence with impressive cameo roles in their run to the FA Cup final, where he made a 30 minute appearance in the 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth, and made 21 appearances last season, scoring twice.