Jacob Ramsey transfer latest as West Ham and Newcastle battle for the Aston Villa midfielder.
The uncertainty over Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey’s future is growing amid increasing interest from a host of Premier League rivals.
Villa are eager to keep hold of Ramsey and Birmingham World understands the academy product has been offered a new contract. Nothing has been signed as of yet, however, and Ramsey is now into the final two years of his current deal, so a resolution needs to be sought quickly.
Unai Emery is determined to get Ramsey to stay as he believes the versatile midfielder can play a key role for many years to come. Villa won’t let a player of his value run his contract down, though, with a departure now looking increasingly likely if Ramsey doesn’t put pen to paper.
Newcastle United emerge as ‘preferred’ destination
Ramsey has recently attracted interest from Nottingham Forest and West Ham United, but it appears Newcastle United are the current favourites to win the race. The Magpies, understood to have been keeping tabs on Ramsey for several successive transfer windows, look closer than ever to luring the 24-year-old to St. James’ Park.
The Athletic reports Villa are open-minded about selling Ramsey as an agreement still hasn’t been reached over a new contract. With all parties seeking clarity to plan ahead for the rest of the transfer window, talks are expected to be held between Villa and Newcastle before the two sides face one another in the Premier League this Saturday.
Many suitors are said to have expressed an interest but Ramsey’s preferred destination is Newcastle, who have made the midfielder their priority target. Eddie Howe is a huge fan of the former England Under-21 international and could finally land his services after a failed approach from the Toon back in January 2024.
West Ham encouraged as ‘feeling is mutual’
Other sides from the Premier League and abroad are also keen, including West Ham. Head coach Graham Potter admires Ramsey, and the report from The Athletic states the ‘feeling is mutual’. The Hammers, just like Newcastle, have made Ramsey one of their top summer targets.
As The Athletic reports, Newcastle’s project and the chance to work under Howe are thought to carry the greatest appeal, but West Ham could still be in with a good shot of signing Ramsey. A bidding war could soon ensue if the Hammers decide they want to disrupt Newcastle’s talks with Villa.
It awaits to be seen exactly how much Villa would want to sell Ramsey as interest grows, but a report from the Daily Mail in June suggested offers of around £40 million would be considered. As Ramsey is an academy product, that would represent £40 million of pure, bookable profit for Villa.
Although the Villans allayed fears of a breach of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) this summer by agreeing to the sale of their women’s team to an investor, further troubles are expected next year. Selling Ramsey could help Villa balance the books well in advance, though Emery would of course be losing a talented asset.
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