Tottenham Hotspur launch shock bid for Aston Villa star

Aston Villa have rejected an official bid from Tottenham Hotspur for promising midfielder Jacob Ramsey.

Our sister publication, Express and Star, understands the Villans are not interested in selling their number 41 as Unai Emery sees him as an important player for the future.

Tottenham tried to tempt with an offer of £20 million plus Argentina international Giovani Lo Celso, but it was quickly rebuffed by Villa’s president of football operations, Monchi. This is despite the fact Emery is interested in reuniting with Lo Celso, a midfielder he managed at both Paris Saint-Germain and Villarreal.

Previous concerns over meeting the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations prompted wide reports that Villa would have to make several sales. But Douglas Luiz’s £25 million-plus-players move to Juventus means there’s no longer a need to make any sacrifices for funds.

As a result, Ramsey is highly likely to remain at Villa Park this summer. Newcastle United have reportedly expressed an interest in the past and Tottenham are obviously very keen, but Villa’s stance is clear and improbable to change.

Ramsey, a 16-time England Under-21 international with four goals, has scored 13 times and contributed 12 assists in 122 senior appearances for Villa. Many of these have been off the bench and his progress has recently been stumped by injuries, but Emery is confident of unlocking his potential.