Craig Hope: Newcastle in talks over next 24 hrs to sign £60M CF, Ramsey will love him
The summer transfer window has unfolded differently than many Newcastle United supporters anticipated, with the club’s business reflecting a measured approach rather than the blockbuster signings some had hoped for following their Carabao Cup triumph and Champions League qualification.
While frustrations linger over the protracted Alexander Isak saga, Eddie Howe’s recruitment team has quietly assembled a squad capable of building on last season’s successes through targeted acquisitions rather than lavish spending.
The £39 million capture of Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa exemplifies Newcastle’s strategic thinking.
The 24-year-old midfielder arrives as a perfect stylistic fit for Howe’s system, combining relentless energy with creative flair – evidenced by his 13 goal involvements during Villa’s impressive 2022/23 campaign.
Ramsey’s versatility allows him to operate centrally or on the left, providing crucial depth following Sean Longstaff’s departure while easing the burden on Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali, and Joelinton.
His 87% pass completion rate and five big chances created last season, despite limited starts, suggest he’ll thrive in Newcastle’s possession-based approach.
Jacob Ramsey’s 2023/24 Premier League Stats
| Metric | Performance |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 28 (19 starts) |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Pass Accuracy | 87% |
| Big Chances Created | 5 |
| Ground Duels Won | 59% |
Newcastle’s pursuit of Brentford’s Yoane Wissa represents their most pressing remaining business.
The Congolese striker’s 20-goal haul last season demonstrates the clinical edge Newcastle require, particularly with Isak’s future uncertain.
Wissa’s well-rounded game – scoring with both feet and his head – would offer a different dimension to Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga’s pace out wide.
His potential partnership with Ramsey could prove particularly fruitful, combining the midfielder’s driving runs with the striker’s intelligent movement.
Yoane Wissa’s 2024/25 Season Breakdown
| Goal Type | Total |
|---|---|
| Right Foot | 10 |
| Left Foot | 5 |
| Headers | 4 |
| Total Goals | 19 (PL) |
While Brentford’s £60 million valuation appears steep, Wissa’s Premier League pedigree justifies Newcastle’s interest.
His ability to link play (completing 1.3 key passes per game last season) and aerial presence (winning 1.5 duels per match) would complement Ramsey’s box-to-box energy perfectly.
The potential synergy between these two signings could soften the blow of Isak’s likely departure while maintaining Newcastle’s attacking threat.
Howe’s other additions – Malick Thiaw’s defensive solidity, Aaron Ramsdale’s goalkeeping quality, and Elanga’s blistering pace (clocking 32.7km/h on debut) – demonstrate a coherent recruitment strategy focused on athleticism and tactical flexibility.
This approach may lack the glamour of marquee signings but builds sustainably on last season’s foundations.
The coming days will prove crucial in determining whether Newcastle can secure Wissa at a reasonable price. While not the superstar name some fans crave, his proven goalscoring ability and Ramsey’s creative potential could form the nucleus of a refreshed attack capable of maintaining Newcastle’s upward trajectory.
In a summer where financial pragmatism has trumped extravagant spending, these calculated moves may ultimately prove wiser than splashier alternatives.
Newcastle’s window reflects their current reality – a club transitioning from plucky overachievers to established top-four contenders.
The focus on Premier League-proven talent like Ramsey and Wissa, rather than risky overseas imports, suggests lessons learned from past transfer missteps. While the Isak situation remains unresolved, the pieces are falling into place for another competitive season at St James’ Park.
Projected Newcastle Attacking Options
| Position | First Choice | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Striker | Yoane Wissa | Callum Wilson |
| Right Wing | Anthony Elanga | Miguel Almirón |
| Left Wing | Anthony Gordon | Harvey Barnes |
| Attacking Mid | Jacob Ramsey | Elliot Anderson |
This balanced squad construction, blending youth and experience, pace and technical quality, demonstrates Newcastle’s long-term vision under Howe.
While the transfer window may not have delivered the headline-grabbing signings some expected, the smart acquisitions of Ramsey and potentially Wissa could prove just as valuable in the club’s quest to cement their place among England’s elite.