Newcastle finalise £40m Jacob Ramsey agreement with Villa, midfielder set for medical | OneFootball

Newcastle United have reached an agreement with Aston Villa to sign midfielder Jacob Ramsey in a deal worth £40 million.

The 24-year-old has already agreed personal terms and will travel to Tyneside for a medical, with the move expected to be finalised in the coming days.

Ramsey’s versatility across midfield positions has long appealed to Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, who has been searching for reinforcements following Sean Longstaff’s summer move to Leeds United.

Injuries to Joe Willock and the inexperience of Lewis Miley have left the Magpies short in central areas ahead of a busy season.

The Birmingham-born midfielder came through Villa’s academy and made his senior debut in 2019. He has made 167 appearances for the club, scoring 17 goals and contributing 17 assists in all competitions.

Last season, he registered four goals and seven assists across 46 matches, featuring predominantly on the left of midfield.

Ramsey’s sale is seen by Villa as an opportunity to strengthen in other areas while complying with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.

The £40 million fee will count as pure profit under accounting regulations, and Unai Emery is expected to target a versatile centre-back and an attacking player.

Villa are considering moves for Toulouse teenager Jaydee Canvot and AC Milan winger Alexis Saelemaekers.

Howe views Ramsey as an energetic, attack-minded player capable of contributing both defensively and in the final third.

The England Under-21 international’s ability to drive forward from midfield and operate in multiple roles fits Newcastle’s push to build a younger, more dynamic squad.

Newcastle have already signed winger Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest for £55 million and centre-back Malick Thiaw from AC Milan for £34.6 million, with goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale joining on loan from Southampton.

The club remain in the market for a striker amid uncertainty over Alexander Isak’s future, with Brentford’s Yoane Wissa among their targets.

Villa were not actively seeking to offload Ramsey, but interest from Tottenham, West Ham and Newcastle has been consistent over the past year. Newcastle’s decisive move this week ultimately won the race for his signature.

The Magpies begin their Premier League campaign away to Villa Park on Saturday.

While the timing of the transfer means Ramsey is unlikely to feature, his arrival represents a significant boost as Newcastle prepare for both domestic and Champions League commitments.