Newcastle United have agreed a £43m deal with Aston Villa for midfielder Jacob Ramsey. The Magpies will pay an initial £39m plus a further £4m in add-ons, with the 24-year-old set to sign a five-year contract after completing a medical on Thursday night.
A product of Villa’s academy and once tipped as the heir to Jack Grealish, Ramsey departs in a move that will count as pure profit for Villa under Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
Jacob Ramsey arrives in Newcastle after Aston Villa agree on a fee of £43m; £39m plus £4m in add-ons
The club had been keen to keep the England youth international, with Unai Emery describing him as “a big potential player” and blocking a January 2024 exit when Tottenham and Newcastle first showed interest.
However, with Villa needing to balance their books, Ramsey’s sale became the most viable option. He had two years remaining on his contract and was offered improved terms earlier this summer to protect his market value. Interest had also been shown in Ollie Watkins and John McGinn, but both are considered not for sale.
Ramsey’s development has been hampered by foot injuries in recent seasons, and his Premier League return last term — one goal and five assists — was modest. Yet his underlying numbers point to significant potential: he ranked second only to Kevin De Bruyne in the league for receiving the ball between the lines, ahead of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer.
Jacob Ramsey’s availability between the lines was a feature of his game for Aston Villa last season
His intelligent movement, ability to find pockets of space, and ball-carrying skills remain highly regarded, with Newcastle manager Eddie Howe believing he can reach his peak in the coming years. Many at Villa Park share that view, making his departure bittersweet for supporters.