Aston Villa must resist Jacob Ramsey temptation after new transfer exit update
Aston Villa must resist the temptation to cash in on homegrown star Jacob Ramsey, who has “no desire to leave”, according to The Telegraph.
The report on 20 May outlines Villa’s need to sell players in order to fund a transfer spending spree this summer in preparation for Champions League participation next season while remaining in line with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Any funds generated from the sale of Ramsey, as an academy graduate, would count as pure profit – and Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham are all reportedly interested.
Should Aston Villa keep or sell Jacob Ramsey?
The financial motivations for selling Ramsey are plain to see.
As a young, talented 22-year-old English midfielder with over three years left on his contract, Ramsey would likely command a hefty transfer fee that would boost Villa’s coffers and help keep them on the right side of the Premier League’s financial rulebook.
However, Villa is Ramsey’s boyhood club and the midfielder has plenty to offer his side on the field as they compete in next season’s Champions League.
Injuries have limited him to just 1,057 minutes and 21 appearances this season, with just 848 of those coming in the Premier League, where he recorded a goal and an assist.
However, while he was robbed of sufficient time to improve upon the encouraging tally of six goals and seven assists he managed in the competition last season, he demonstrated a number of qualities that speak to his roundedness as a player.
For instance, the 22-year-old won an impressive 62.5 per cent of his aerial duels, losing just 0.32 per 90 in the Premier League this term. The former figure places Ramsey in the 99th percentile among attacking midfielders and wingers in the division [FBref].
Additionally, the youngster was diligent in his defensive duties, averaging 1.58 Premier League blocks and 1.69 tackles per 90.
For a player who is most often defined by his creative and attacking abilities – which he also displayed this term, averaging 2.32 passes into the final third per 90 – to have produced such encouraging numbers against the ball as well at such a young age is particularly impressive.
Villa would do well to hold on to their homegrown gem – or risk regretting his sale later down the line.
In other Aston Villa news, Jhon Duran deserves more chances next season after his double against Liverpool.
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