Unai Emery has once again opened up on Aston Villa selling Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United to relieve their PSR concerns.
Just over a year ago, the Magpies were in the same position as Villa, in need of funds to keep them away from a PSR breach.
With the deadline fast approaching in June 2024, Newcastle United reluctantly sold Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to keep the club away from a possible points deduction. The pair went on to enjoy brilliant seasons at Nottingham Forest and Brighton, respectively.
While Newcastle struggled with PSR compliance last season, it is a completely different story in 2025, with Eddie Howe making up for lost time in the transfer market by spending over £100million on new signings.
One of those additions was Jacob Ramsey from Villa. The 24-year-old was an academy graduate, so his £43m fee represented pure profit for the club. Villa players paid tribute to Ramsey upon his departure, a telling sign that Newcastle have secured a top-quality player.
With Ramsey in line for his debut against Liverpool, Unai Emery has shared what he really thought about letting him go.
Unai Emery during an Aston Villa press conference.
Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images
Unai Emery tells Aston Villa players to ‘move on’ after Jacob Ramsey joins Newcastle United
Ramsey comes to Newcastle as a replacement for Sean Longstaff, who went to Leeds United on a permanent deal in July.
Like the former Villa man, Longstaff represented pure profit for Newcastle, so the deal felt like one which had to be done this summer.
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The 24-year-old Ramsey joins Newcastle with experience playing in the Champions League, and the hope that Howe can turn him into an England international like he has with the likes of Anthony Gordon on Tyneside.
In his pre-match press conference, the question of selling Ramsey and PSR was asked to Emery.
“I agree with the players, with the same message they sent,” he said.
“I agree but…we have to move on and try to get our best.
“Of course, they are the same. They are friends and maybe they can feel a little bit sad. In football you have to move on and keep going. They are sending messages in the same direction and I agree.
“We have to accept the financial rules. We know it and we are trying to get a balance, between the rules and our capacity to keep improving and getting better.
“There are always three circumstances (with any potential transfer), one is the club, second is the team, then there are the player’s wishes. Those three circumstances, if there are two, it is getting the objective.
“We did everything linking those three circumstances, with the players and those who are leaving. I wish him (Jacob Ramsey) the best at Newcastle United. I really enjoyed the moment we had together.
“The players’ emotions are closer to thinking about him leaving.”
Newcastle United need to ensure they do not endure a PSR repeat
PSR is a tricky thing to navigate, but Newcastle appear to be on the better side of it for now. However, Geordie Boot Boys were informed that Newcastle could be in trouble with UEFA’s spending rules next year, so a high-value player sale may have to be made.
For now, though, the club continues to generate revenue and post impressive financial returns each year. Most recently, Newcastle’s accounts recorded a turnover of £320m, more than what was predicted by CEO Darren Eales.
🤝 Newcastle United can confirm that Yankuba Minteh has moved to Brighton & Hove Albion on a permanent basis.#NUFC extends its best wishes to Yankuba for the future.
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— Newcastle United (@NUFC) June 30, 2024
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The PSR debacle of last year simply cannot be repeated. It caused Howe to lose two quality young players, and many will argue that it prevented the club from growing that season.
Now back in the Champions League, the hope is that Newcastle can give a good account of themselves, and keep well away from a PSR blackhole which almost saw them receive a points deduction last year.