Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has reiterated his stance on Jacob Ramsey after speculation linked him with a potential exit.
Although it’s been a frustrating season to date for the 22-year-old due to injuries, there is little doubt that he is a fundamental player for us both in the short-term and long-term future.
READ MORE: Injury blow as bit-part Villa ace faces lengthy stint out
Although he still has development and improvement ahead of him, he’s already solidified his place in the Villa side, and so talk of a potential departure early this week was a concern.
According to the Athletic’s David Ornstein, Villa could consider offers in excess of £50m for Ramsey as we look to remain compliant with Profit and Sustainability Rules, with Newcastle Utd, Tottenham and Bayern Munich said to be interested.
However, he did add that Villa will likely look at other ways of raising the necessary funds to balance our books before the end of June, and so ideally, it won’t involve Ramsey leaving.
Fortunately, Emery reiterated his stance on the situation after making initial comments in his press conference on Monday ahead of our encounter with Newcastle, as he later went on to double down on his dismissal of an exit for Ramsey as he is adamant that he wants him to stay at Villa.
“I am not thinking about letting him leave, even in the case some teams are offering us a lot,” Emery said, as per The Express and Star. “Right now I don’t want that – I completely don’t want that. I want to work with him and try and help him increase his level because I am selfish and I want him at his best for me.
“We can both benefit from that. His future now is with Aston Villa. In all my conversations with him his commitment to Aston Villa is clear.”
While it’s reassuring that the Villa boss is very clear on his desire and intention when it comes to Ramsey, ultimately this could be a financial necessity if we’re struggling to satisfy the relevant PSR criteria, and alternative routes aren’t fruitful enough to get that balance.
As a product of our Youth Academy and the connection we feel with the homegrown ace, it would be a bitter blow having to see him play elsewhere, and so it’s hoped that Emery’s opinion will prove to be pivotal in the eventual decision-making process in the summer.
That said, it goes both ways with Ramsey needing to step up and deliver to prove that he is a key figure in this team under Emery, and so he’ll hopefully make his comeback from injury this week and get back to his best and take his game to the next level.