‘The best left foot since Messi’ – Three players Aston Villa could sign after Jacob Ramsey exit
Jacob Ramsey is set to leave Aston Villa to join Newcastle United.
Ramsey was offered a contract extension by the Villans, but will instead swap Villa Park for St James’ Park for £40million.
With Unai Emery’s side getting ready to face Newcastle in their Premier League opener on 16 August, Ramsey is unlikely to be available for either, as things stand.
Villa are now left with limited depth in attack, and will surely move into the market to replace their boyhood Aston Villa supporter.
Villa News have looked at three possible replacements for Ramsey.
Villa show interest in Alexis Saelemaekers
Aston Villa have shown interest in Alexis Saelemaekers this summer.
The winger has been in and out of the AC Milan side since joining in 2020 from Belgian side Anderlecht.
Saelemaekers caught the eye while on loan with Roma last season, and with the Villans in the market for attackers, the Belgian seems like the perfect option.
The Italian giants have opened contract talks with the 26-year-old, but with an injection of cash on its way, the Villans could attempt to convince him to move elsewhere.
Leandro Trossard could be the ideal replacement for Ramsey
Leon Bailey is another who has been heavily linked with an Aston Villa exit in recent weeks.
Should the versatile attacker leave alongside Ramsey, it would mean that the Villans will almost certainly have to recruit in attack.
Leandro Trossard could be a solid addition, after years at Arsenal, challenging at the very top.
The 30-year-old has amassed over six years of Premier League experience, and unlike alternatives from abroad, the Belgian won’t need any time to adapt to the top-flight.
- Trossard has scored 46 Premier League goals
- The left winger has also contributed 31 assists in the top-flight
Aston Villa would face competition from Saudi Arabia should they explore a move for Trossard, but the lure of playing at the highest possible level could be enough for Emery to bring the winger to the Midlands.
Marco Asensio could make his return to Villa
Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Asensio has been linked with a return to the Midlands, having spent the second half of last season on loan at Villa Park.
The Spaniard quickly became a fan favourite at Villa as he developed the ability to bring fans to their feet with his creativity in attack.
Speaking to Spanish radio ahead of the Champions League group stages in 2016, Asensio spoke of the praise he had received from Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane.
“Zidane told me that since Messi, he had never seen a left foot like mine,” he told COPE.
Villa supporters can attest to his fine left foot, having witnessed his capabilities at the back end of last season, and they are likely to welcome that back with open arms.
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