Newcastle United have reached an agreement with Aston Villa to sign midfielder Jacob Ramsey.
The clubs have agreed an upfront fee of £39million ($52.8m) along with a further £5m in harder to achieve add-ons.
Villa, who will compete in this season’s Europa League, are selling to help the club comply with UEFA’s squad cost rules (SCR) and Football Earnings Rule (FER).
Ramsey has made 167 senior appearances for Villa since making his league debut in September 2020 as a teenager.
Last season, he played 45 games across all competitions and scored one goal and five assists in the league after struggling with injuries.
Ramsey represents pure bookable profit and although not a high earner, frees up the wage bill to give Villa opportunities in the market.
Had they not been willing to sell Ramsey, it is unlikely, they would have been able to look at any more incomings.
The most basic reason Newcastle want Ramsey is midfield numbers. Sean Longstaff joined Leeds United last month, meaning Newcastle’s senior cohort of midfielders dropped from six to five.
Given Eddie Howe usually starts with a three-man engine room and there is the additional demand of Champions League football this season, bringing in a replacement is paramount.
Joe Willock is also sidelined with a calf problem, leaving Howe with only four fit senior midfielders.
Although Ramsey has had injury issues of his own at Villa Park, particularly with his foot, he is experienced in the Premier League and has also now tasted Champions League football.
His athleticism, dynamism and attacking mindset would provide Howe with a fresh option.
He would not initially be a certain starter at St James’ Park — but few players are when they first join Newcastle under Howe, especially after pre-season has concluded.
However, given the volume of matches Newcastle will play throughout 2025-26 (and they hope beyond, given repeatedly qualifying for Europe is their stated goal), Ramsey will undoubtedly receive plenty of opportunities to start as Howe rotates.
He is also comfortable playing as the left-sided forward, too, so provides an option there, even if Newcastle are already blessed with depth in Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Elanga and even Joelinton.
