Newcastle United has reached an agreement with Aston Villa for the transfer of winger Jacob Ramsey, with a fee of £40 million ($54 million) being reported from various sources.
The 24-year-old is set to head north for a medical examination to finalize his transfer.
Ramsey, who has made 167 appearances at Villa Park, is part of Aston Villa’s strategy to comply with UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations, reflecting the necessity of offloading players for financial stability.
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If the medical goes well and personal terms are settled within the next day, Ramsey could officially become a Newcastle player just in time for the Premier League opener at Villa Park on Saturday.
Despite the potential financial boost from Ramsey’s transfer, Villa manager Unai Emery is unlikely to see much leeway in spending, as the club is still dealing with the repercussions of a £9.5 million ($12.9 million) fine for breaching UEFA regulations.
Newcastle is also looking to re-sign Marco Asensio from Paris Saint-Germain, who previously spent time on loan with the club.
Ramsey’s move to St. James Park could lift the spirits of Newcastle fans following a challenging transfer window for manager Eddie Howe.
While they have secured the signings of Anthony Elanga and Malick Chiau, Newcastle missed out on Benjamin Sesco, who opted for Manchester United instead.
Additionally, the future of Alexander Isak remains uncertain, as the Swedish international has expressed interest in joining Liverpool.
Newcastle also turned down a bid for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, with the club confirming he won’t feature in the Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest due to ongoing speculation about his status.
“The preseason has been quite chaotic, and there’s definite interest in Yoane,” remarked Brentford manager Keith Andrews.
“As head coach, I want him to stay and be part of the first team, and I fully understand his situation. I have a good relationship with him.”
When asked about Wissa’s prospects of remaining at Brentford, Andrews stated, “I really can’t say. It’s challenging to predict what will happen.”
This report utilized information from the PA and Associated Press.
Fan Take: This transfer news is significant for soccer fans as it reflects the ongoing strategic moves by clubs to balance financial constraints while enhancing their squads. Jacob Ramsey’s arrival at Newcastle could rejuvenate their season and highlights the intricate web of decisions that impact player careers and club futures in a competitive league.