Graham Potter continues to look for midfield reinforcement.placeholder image
Graham Potter continues to look for midfield reinforcement. | Getty Images
Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey earned praise from Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole as he broke into the Villains first team.
West Ham continue to browse the transfer market for midfield reinforcements this summer with Graham Potter looking to strengthen in the centre of the park ahead of the upcoming Premier League season.
GIVEMESPORT report that West Ham have set their sights on Aston Villa star Jacob Ramsey as a prime candidate to do that. The 24-year-old struggled to nail down a place in the starting XI under Unai Emery last season and the Midlands club could reportedly sanction an exit for £40 million.
West Ham open talks with Aston Villa midfielder
The outlet adds that the Hammers have made a ‘strong pitch’ to sign Ramsey and that contact with the player is underway. However, it remains to be seen whether the midfielder will accept to leave Villa Park for a club that cannot offer him European football.
Ramsey made 10 Champions League appearances last season with one goal and two assists in the competition. A product of the Aston Villa academy, Ramsey has never left the club apart from a brief 2020 loan spell at Doncaster Rovers.
The versatile midfielder made his Aston Villa debut in February 2019 but began to really make an impression in the 2021/22 season, when he scored his first goals for the club. Steven Gerrard was manager at the time and heaped praise on Ramsey after he netted a brace against Leeds United.
Steven Gerrard praises ‘top talent’ Ramsey
The Premier League legend tipped Ramsey for England stardom, although he is yet to earn a senior cap. Gerrard said: “I know the level of the England players, I’ve been around it, and have enough experience to know it’s only a matter of time, but let’s all be sensible and keep calm about it. I want him to make his own headlines with his football. He is a top talent, I’m loving every moment of working with him. He is getting stronger with each game because we’re giving him the platform to express himself. He is in a wonderful place.
“He’s not following in anyone’s footsteps. Jacob Ramsey is Jacob Ramsey. He will be a terrific player. It won’t be long before the whole country is watching him I’m sure. He is right up there, let me tell you.”
Speaking on TV punditry duties, Joe Cole added: “Jacob Ramsey catches the eye. He is so athletic. I have seen little glimpses of him before, but this is the first time I have seen him live. I am so impressed with the timing of his runs and his intelligence as well. I spoke to some of the Villa guys before about him and they said he is a sponge, he wants to learn and to take it all in.”
In other news, West Ham sign Aston Villa man, £15m goalkeeper and striker in starting XI if transfer rumours are true.
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