Jacob Ramsey completed his move from Aston Villa to Newcastle United over the weekend, with Villa captain John McGinn among those to wish him well at St James' Park
Jacob Ramsey (right) and John McGinn (left)
Jacob Ramsey (right) and John McGinn (left)(Image: PA)
Aston Villa's captain, John McGinn, has expressed his admiration for his former teammate Jacob Ramsey, whose transfer to Newcastle United was finalised over the weekend. He lamented that Villa found themselves in a position where they had to contemplate letting go of their academy product.
Ramsey, who joined Villa at the tender age of six in 2007, ended an 18-year relationship with his childhood club to join Newcastle for a fee potentially reaching £44m.
This pure profit will assist Villa in managing their ongoing situation with PSR and UEFA's Squad Cost Ratio rules, which they must adhere to for their upcoming Europa League campaign.
The necessity for Villa to sell Ramsey - along with other first-team players like Douglas Luiz, Jhon Duran, Moussa Diaby in recent transfer windows - is indicative of the current state of football and the regulations clubs are required to stay within, regardless of their financial capabilities or ambitions.
McGinn described it as a 'privilege' to play alongside Ramsey in a claret and blue shirt. Together, they helped the club achieve promotion back to the Premier League in 2019 and then, under Unai Emery, secured three consecutive campaigns in Europe, including a stint in the Champions League last season.
There is, however, disappointment for McGinn that Villa have been forced to consider selling Ramsey and allowing him to join a direct Premier League competitor who will be battling for identical objectives as the Lions in this newly started campaign, and who secured a point from the two teams' scoreless stalemate at Villa Park in the season opener this past weekend, reports Birmingham Live.
"Always humble, respectful and willing to learn," McGinn posted. "It's been a privilege to share the dressing room with you and enjoy some special moments together on the pitch.
"A sad day losing a top player and person and one of our own but it seems to be the way football is set up these days!".
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