Nottingham Forest Eyes Jacob Ramsey
Nottingham Forest is reportedly eyeing Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey as they look to enhance their attacking options, especially in light of Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White. Last summer, Spurs attempted to secure Ramsey but negotiations fell short.
Financial Implications for Aston Villa
At 24, Jacob Ramsey is a product of Villa’s youth system, meaning a potential transfer could yield considerable profit for the club. His departure would also aid Villa’s efforts to slash their wage bill below the 70% threshold of total revenue, a requirement imposed by UEFA. Following a fine from UEFA earlier this year due to financial breaches, Villa has been actively working to cut costs, having decreased their wage expenditure from the mid-eighties as a percentage of turnover.
Ramsey’s Value to Villa
While Ramsey’s contract is considered manageable, his status as a ‘club-trained’ player may complicate any sale. This designation is crucial for Villa as they register players for their upcoming Europa League campaign, and head coach Unai Emery values Ramsey’s skills as a key contributor to the squad.
Performance and Potential
Since making his professional debut in September 2020, Ramsey has appeared in 167 matches for Villa, including 45 appearances last season despite facing injury challenges. During the last Premier League season, he scored once and contributed five assists across 29 matches.
Forest’s Strategic Interests
With Forest’s attacking lineup needing reinforcement due to the recent £52 million transfer of Anthony Elanga to Newcastle and the potential move of Gibbs-White to Tottenham, Ramsey presents an appealing solution. Gibbs-White’s exit would create a void that Ramsey could fill admirably, given that he can perform both as a left winger and in the number 10 position, aligning with Forest’s strategy of pursuing young players with growth potential.
National Team Prospects
Additionally, securing regular playtime at Forest might enhance Ramsey’s prospects for national team selection, as he caught the eye of England’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, last season. The versatile midfielder is seen as a valuable asset, and with Forest’s recent signing of Igor Jesus from Botafogo, the club is keen on expanding its offensive capabilities further, potentially making Ramsey a strategic addition if negotiations can progress successfully.
Conclusion
Overall, the situation is fluid as Forest juggles its options and targets in the transfer market while awaiting the decisions regarding Gibbs-White’s future.
