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Tom OlverPublished Jan 29, 2024, 3:38pm|Updated Jan 29, 2024, 3:40pm
Unai Emery has played down speculation linking Jacob Ramsey with a move to Newcastle, insisting the midfielder remains a ‘very important player’ in his plans at Aston Villa.
A report in The Athletic indicates that Newcastle have approached Villa over a possible deal for the 22-year-old, regarded as one of the top young talents in Premier League football.
The England Under-21 international, who joined Villa’s academy at the age of six, made his first-team debut in 2019 and has since scored 13 goals in 115 appearances for his boyhood club.
It’s understood Ramsey’s performances have attracted the attention of Bayern Munich and Tottenham, as well as Newcastle, but all three clubs are aware that the youngster will not come cheap given he is tied into a contract at Villa Park until 2027.
Financial Fair Play restrictions have also hampered the Magpies’ ability to throw their weight around in the January transfer market, with the deadline fast approaching.
‘Jacob Ramsey is a very important player here,’ Villa head coach Emery told reporters on Monday when asked about the rumours surrounding Ramsey.
‘He grew up here in the academy and his progression is clearly getting better, his level is increasing a lot and I want to keep him here with us.
‘Of course, he starts getting some movements around him, maybe teams involved in the possibility to sign him because he’s a player with big, big potential in Aston Villa and England.’
Emery made it clear he had no desire to part with Ramsey at such a crucial stage of the season, with Villa sitting fourth and just five points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
‘I want to keep him here, 100 per cent,’ the Spaniard added.
At his pre-match press conference on Monday, Eddie Howe was keen to distance himself from the speculation linking Newcastle with Ramsey.
‘Incorrect,’ the Newcastle manager bluntly responded when pressed on The Athletic’s report.
On the incessant rumours surrounding the future of Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier, Howe added: ‘Callum is 100 per cent committed just like Kieran.
‘That is why I was surprised by the noise about Callum.
He is currently injured. From his perspective and our perspective, there is nothing in it.’
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