Newcastle United are on the verge of signing Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey for £40 million, fending off competition from West Ham United. The 24-year-old, who can play across midfield, is expected to agree personal terms without issue, and could feature in Newcastle's squad for their Premier League opener at Villa Park on Saturday.
Ramsey, an academy graduate at Villa, made 167 appearances and scored 17 goals for the club. He started roughly half of last season's games, often from the bench. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has long admired the player, seeing him as a replacement for Sean Longstaff, who joined Leeds United for £15 million last month.
Villa were not actively seeking to sell Ramsey, but his sale would count as pure profit under Premier League profitability and sustainability rules. The funds would allow manager Unai Emery to target a versatile centre-back and an attacking player. Potential targets include Toulouse teenager Jaydee Canvot, Milan winger Alexis Saelemaekers, and Paris Saint-Germain forward Marco Asensio, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Villa.
Newcastle have also completed the £35 million signing of Germany defender Malick Thiaw from Milan and remain in the market for two strikers. With Sweden forward Alexander Isak pushing for a move to Liverpool and training separately, Newcastle are in talks with Brentford over Yoane Wissa. Brentford rejected a £25 million bid and are demanding £40 million for the 29-year-old. A compromise is hoped for this week, but Isak will not play against Villa, meaning Anthony Gordon may start as a makeshift centre-forward.
Once Newcastle sign at least one new forward, Liverpool are expected to submit an improved bid for Isak, having already had a £110 million offer rejected.
