In some ways, West Ham United signing Jacob Ramsey from Premier League rivals Aston Villa in the final month of the window makes a great deal of sense.
Graham Potter wants an athletic, physically-imposing addition to his midfield. A midfield which, often made up of Edson Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse and/or Guido Rodriguez last season, was crying out for an injection of pace, power and poise.
West Ham are prioritising young, high-potential talent as well.
So Jacob Ramsey, only 24 years of age, Premier League-proven, and one of the best ball-carrying midfield dynamos in the competition on his day, ticks a whole lot of boxes.
There are, however, a couple problems. A couple of pretty substantial problems at that. As obstacles go, these are less of a pothole in the road and more a car-totalling patch of jet-black ice.
The reaction from a sizeable portion of Aston Villa supporters to Ramsey’s potential departure, meanwhile, may be a concern for a West Ham United fanbase knowing there is very little room for expensive mistakes this summer.
Aston Villa fans react as West Ham United continue Jacob Ramsey talks
Hammers News have been told that Aston Villa regard Jacob Ramsey extremely highly. The Midlanders ‘think he is one of the best young midfielders in Europe’, and the price-tag reflects that.
While Aston Villa are under financial pressure to sell at least one of their prized assets – PSR has hit Unai Emery’s side hard – Ramsey is valued in excess of £50 million.
Considering that West Ham needed to sell Mohammed Kudus in order to finance a deal for El Hadji Malick Diouf, and currently cannot afford the likes of Harvey Elliott without raising even more funds, Ramsey feels like a non-starter unless Villa can be convinced to accept a loan or unless they lower their demands considerably.
Back in 2023, when Ramsey was coming off the back of a second-successive six-goal Premier League campaign, £50 million for a 22-year-old midfielder with a penchant for hitting the back of the net would have felt like pretty good value.
Now, at the age of 24, with only two goals in his last 45 league matches, and injuries keeping him out of another 46 across all competitions, some Villa fans feel understandably that the time to cash in may have arrived.
“At the end of the day, he’s often injured, and doesn’t pull up many trees when he does play,” one supporter writes on X. “Emery clearly likes him but he hasn’t been at a consistent level ever.”
“I understand the sentiment to Ramsey and [why] people think we should sell for a high figure. But if we went after a player in his position who had about 5 goals across two seasons for £40 – £50 million, we’d be seething,” another adds.
There is also the suggestion that selling Ramsey – he would represent ‘pure profit’ in PSR terms – will unlock the door for Villa to bring in a potentially game-changing attacker. Lois Openda of RB Leipzig and Porto frontman Samu Omorodion are two of the names mentioned.
“Would be a shame to lose him but, if we get £35 – £40 million for him, then it’s good money,” one fan claims.
“£35 – 40 million, then go get Openda or Samu.”
“I like Ramsey but, thinking about it, yes he’s one of our own but he’s 24. He’s not a bright prospect like he used to be. Ship him for £35 – £40 million and we are safe [financially] and can sign who we want.”
Steven Gerrard said Ramsey would go right to the top in the Premier League
Presuming West Ham can convince Aston Villa to accept a fee more suited to Graham Potter’s budget, whether Jacob Ramsey represents value for money depends largely on which Jacob Ramsey they would be getting.
The one who struggled for starts and goals during an injury hit couple of years?
Or the one who scored six times while setting up eight more during Unai Emery’s first season at Villa Park? The lessons he learned from Steven Gerrard clear to see as he started to make those driving runs into the penalty area something of a trademark.
“I want him to make his own headlines with his football. He is a top talent, I’m loving every moment of working with him,” Liverpool legend Gerrard said shortly before he was replaced by Emery in 2022.
“He is getting stronger with each game because we’re giving him the platform to express himself. He is in a wonderful place.
“He’s not following in anyone’s footsteps. Jacob Ramsey is Jacob Ramsey. He will be a terrific player. It won’t be long before the whole country is watching him I’m sure.
“He is right up there, let me tell you.”
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