It has been a busy 24 hours in Newcastle’s pursuit of long-term target of attacking midfielder Jacob Ramsey.
After an approach last year and early talks to land the 24-year-old in June, during Aston Villa’s attempts to avoid a PSR breach, a deal has been resurrected over the past few days.
David Ornstein revealed that Newcastle were in talks with the Villains on Tuesday morning over a transfer, with the player eager to sign at St James’ Park after entering the final two years of his contract and struggling to reach an agreement to extend.
Last night, both Craig Hope and Fabrizio Romano then revealed that talks had advanced, with Romano stating that an agreement was ‘almost done’ and the player ‘only wants Newcastle’ despite interest from West Ham.
Now, in the last few moments, we’ve seen news from The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, who reports that Newcastle have agreed a package worth £40m, suggesting it could be a lower initial fee plus add-ons up to £40m.
The next step will see Ramsey enter talks with Newcastle over personal terms, although these are not expected to be a problem.
After that, the former England U21 star will head north to complete his medical on Tyneside, suggesting he could and should sign before our trip to Villa Park in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Another cracking signing and him and Thiaw both want to come and that will be how Eddie can work his magic! Howe-ay the lads
Wez(Quote)
Hopefully this will put to bed the lie that players don’t want to come.
Players that the big 6 clubs want are hard to compete for, but this next tier the Aston Villa/Forest level players is where we can compete right now and we are very attractive for these players.
Johnny Mac(Quote)
Not sure what to make of this signing. If Howe sees him as a No 10 then great – but if he is just Willock 2.0 then it seems a bit daft. I know we need bodies in midfield and Ramsey is a good player, but 40m on another athletic left sided no 8 seems like a waste. I would still like El Khannouss to come in as he won’t expect huge minutes but I think it’s looking unlikely if Ramsey arrives…
SF(Quote)
Howe has admired the lad for a while so I think he represents a Willock replacement with Willock moving on either January or next summer.
Johnny Mac(Quote)
In Eddie we follow
The blokes a organiser and a magician..
If he said my granny could play 9 l would have to agree.
We make so many chances any one will score…
That’s why Gordon says he’ll play there.
Another great season forecast.⚽👍
Referee(Quote)
I’m a Villa fan. Ramsey will be a really good signing. He struggled to pin down a position at Villa partly because he’s so flexible, and then injury halted his momentum. A good buy and a good sale too for Villa.
N A(Quote)