‘I like him’: Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher agree on Newcastle United’s ‘hit’ summer signing
The summer transfer window may have officially closed, but the conversation about which clubs made the smartest moves is only just getting started.
While many pundits and fans will understandably point to Liverpool’s record-breaking signing of Alexander Isak as the headline deal, a closer look at Newcastle United’s business reveals a club that has been both strategic and shrewd.
Beyond the obvious drama of a major sale, the Magpies have quietly built a stronger, deeper squad for the future, and their work has not gone unnoticed by some of the game’s toughest critics.
In a surprising moment of agreement, two of football’s most respected and often opposing pundits, Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane, have both singled out one particular Newcastle signing for special praise.
While the club brought in six senior players and invested heavily in its academy, it is the arrival of Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa that has captured their attention.
The deal, worth up to £43 million, is being seen as a classic piece of smart business, the kind that can define a club’s trajectory for years to come.
Carragher, known for his sharp analysis, was very clear in his approval. “I like Ramsey, I’ve always been a fan of his at Villa,” he stated. “I think it’s a good move. I think Eddie Howe is brilliant at those types of signings. He takes them to another level, young players coming to the club.”
While he noted it was too early for a final verdict, his conclusion was optimistic: “I think it will end up being a hit.” Never one for elaborate praise, Roy Keane offered his own characteristically concise endorsement, simply agreeing, “I think it’s a good signing. I like him, yeah.” When these two footballing minds see eye-to-eye on a player’s potential, it’s certainly worth paying attention.
The transfer itself came about partly due to Aston Villa’s own Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) concerns, a situation Newcastle fans will remember from their own need to sell players like Elliot Anderson earlier in the window.
Sometimes, one club’s financial necessity becomes another’s golden opportunity. For Newcastle, seizing the chance to sign a proven Premier League talent like Ramsey for a reasonable fee is a sign of their growing intelligence in the market.
What makes Ramsey such an exciting acquisition is his profile and potential. At just 24 years old, he arrives with significant top-flight experience but with his best years still unquestionably ahead of him.
He is a dynamic, energetic, and technically gifted midfielder who can drive the team forward—a skillset that makes him a potential long-term successor to the influential Joelinton, who is currently sidelined with a groin injury.
Perhaps the most telling sign of his quality didn’t come from a pundit or a price tag, but from his former teammates.
The heartfelt messages from Villa players like Tyrone Mings and Morgan Rogers after his departure spoke volumes. It was a clear signal that Newcastle weren’t just buying a player; they were acquiring a respected and valued member of a dressing room, someone whose character matches his ability on the pitch.
For Manager Eddie Howe, who has a proven track record of improving young players, Ramsey represents the perfect project.
He fits seamlessly into a squad that is increasingly built around a core of exciting, young, homegrown talent. While the spotlight will understandably be on big-money signings like Nick Woltemade, the acquisition of Jacob Ramsey is the kind of intelligent, forward-thinking move that builds a sustainable foundation for success.
It’s a signing that suggests Newcastle’s project is not about flashy short-term fixes, but about constructing a team that can compete at the highest level for many seasons to come.