Fee includes an initial £39m plus £4m in add-ons
Newcastle United have reached an agreement with Aston Villa to sign midfielder Jacob Ramsey in a deal worth up to £43 million.
The fee includes an initial £39m payment plus £4m in add-ons. Ramsey will sign a five-year contract at St James’ Park and is expected to complete his medical this week.
The Villa academy graduate has been linked with several clubs this summer. Villa rate the player highly but were willing to sell in order to balance their books and meet the league’s profit and sustainability rules.
Since he is a homegrown player, Ramsey’s sale represents pure profit for the club in accounting terms.
The 24-year-old had two years left on his contract and was offered improved terms earlier in the year to protect his market value. Villa also received interest in John McGinn and Ollie Watkins from Newcastle and Manchester United respectively, but both were considered off-limits.
Ramsey made 35 appearances for Villa last season in all competitions, scoring three goals and providing five assists. He becomes Newcastle’s fourth major signing of the summer after winger Anthony Elanga, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and defender Malick Thiaw.
