Arsenal and Tottenham are both interested in a deal for Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey, it has been claimed. The 23-year-old could be sacrificed if the Villans need to sell for Profit and Sustainability Regulation (PSR) reasons, after missing out on the Champions League.
Villa finished sixth in the Premier League, level on points with fifth-placed Newcastle United, but missed out on a berth in Europe’s elite club competition next season as they had an inferior goal difference.
It means that Unai Emery’s side have to settle for a spot in the Europa League – and may need to sell more players in the process. Ramsey is someone could be sold for wriggle room, and his sale would count as pure profit for Villa due to coming through the club’s system, making a sale more appealable.
According to radio station talkSPORT, Ramsey is a ‘candidate’ to be sold, while Villa would be looking to bring in around £50million if they were to sell him. He has totted up 167 appearances since breaking into Villa’s first-team four years ago, scoring 17 goals and helping them rise to become a Premier League force.
Ramsey was hampered by injuries during the 2023/2024 season, but he’s been a more prominent figure this term, playing 45 matches across all competitions. While Emery is a huge fan, Ramsey started just 19 times in the Premier League and it doesn’t seem as though he is a nailed-on starter.
Speaking last month, ex-Villa and Leicester City winger Marc Albrighton urged Ramsey to leave the club for the benefit of his own career. He told the Football Fill-In: “He would be a better player if he were to move.
“As much as I’d love to see him stay at the club, I think he will always be known as the youth academy graduate. Whereas, if he goes to another club, he steps in and is a big part of their midfield.”
Arsenal are looking to strengthen up their midfield with Jorginho leaving the club on a free transfer and Thomas Partey’s contract set to expire at the end of the June. Although Martin Zubimendi is expected to arrive in a £51m deal from Real Sociedad, the Gunners are anticipated to add more bodies in midfield.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have an extra sum of cash to splash out after qualifying for the Champions League. They finished 17th place in the Premier League – their lowest finish in 48 years – but lifted the Europa League following their 1-0 win against Manchester United, meaning they are in Europe’s premier club competition.
Spurs have been long-since linked with a swoop for Ramsey – and are expected to reignite their interest as they look to bolster their midfield. They were said to be keen in January, and Emery spoke about his future at the time, reiterating he was an important member of their squad.
