Fabrizio Romano has recently provided a detailed update regarding Tottenham Hotspur’s ambitious attempt to sign Aston Villa’s highly-rated midfielder Jacob Ramsey through a player-plus-cash swap deal. The North London club has been particularly active in this summer’s transfer market, aiming to strengthen their squad under the new management of Ange Postecoglou.
Postecoglou has already successfully negotiated for Timo Werner to return to Tottenham on another loan deal, reinforcing their attacking options. Concurrently, the club has allowed several players, including Tanguy Ndombele, Ryan Sessegnon, Japhet Tanganga, and Ivan Perisic, to depart. This indicates a significant reshuffling as Spurs seek to build a more competitive team for the upcoming season.
The summer transfer window is always a period of intense speculation, and Tottenham has been linked with a plethora of players over the past few weeks. One of the most notable names associated with the club is Aston Villa’s talented midfielder, Jacob Ramsey. Romano, a well-respected journalist in the football community, has shared what he knows about Tottenham’s reported bid to sign Ramsey.
Romano discussed this topic in depth on his show, Playback, where he shed light on Tottenham’s strategic move. He stated, “What I can tell is, this story of Tottenham making a bid to Aston Villa for Ramsey including a player, Gio Lo Celso, and money, is a bid they made, yes. But, it was weeks ago, not this week and not even last week. It was weeks ago. Aston Villa immediately said no.” This confirmation from Romano aligns with the reports that Tottenham’s bid involved £20 million plus the inclusion of Argentine international Giovani Lo Celso.
In addition to discussing the bid for Ramsey, Romano also provided insights into Lo Celso’s future with Tottenham. He expressed his belief that Lo Celso is likely to leave the club this summer, saying, “Gio Lo Celso has very good chances to leave Tottenham in the summer transfer window. I think Gio Lo Celso will leave Tottenham, this is my feeling.” This statement highlights Tottenham’s readiness to part ways with Lo Celso, who has struggled to secure a consistent starting position since his arrival.
Reflecting on past transfer dealings, it is notable that Tottenham has a history of attempting similar player-plus-cash deals with Aston Villa. Several years ago, the club tried to sign Jack Grealish from Villa by offering £3 million plus Josh Onomah. That bid was swiftly rejected by Villa, who later sold Grealish to Manchester City for a record fee, underscoring their high valuation of key players.
In 2024, Tottenham has once again approached Villa with a substantial offer, this time targeting Jacob Ramsey. Reports from Wednesday revealed that the bid consisted of £20 million and Giovani Lo Celso. However, much like the previous attempt with Grealish, Villa rejected this proposal as well. Romano confirmed that this bid did indeed occur, though it was made several weeks ago rather than recently. He reiterated that Villa’s rejection was immediate, leaving Tottenham to explore other options.
Romano also touched on potential destinations for Lo Celso, mentioning that Real Betis, where Lo Celso previously played, remains a viable option. He noted, “Still exploring the options, Betis are there, Unai Emery knows him well, there are several opportunities, but he will leave the club.” This indicates that Tottenham is actively seeking a resolution for Lo Celso’s future, possibly leveraging his previous connections to facilitate a move.
Lo Celso joined Tottenham from Real Betis in a deal worth £55 million, a significant investment for the club. Despite his undeniable talent, he has struggled to cement his place in the starting lineup, leading to multiple loan spells away from the club. As Lo Celso approaches the final year of his contract, Tottenham faces a critical decision. Extending his contract seems impractical, given his inconsistent performances and lack of impact. Therefore, selling Lo Celso appears to be the most logical step.
Although Tottenham’s initial bid for Ramsey was unsuccessful, there is still a possibility that they might return with an improved offer. An increased cash component, combined with the inclusion of Lo Celso, could potentially make the deal more appealing to Aston Villa. Whether Villa will reconsider and entertain a revised proposal remains to be seen, but Tottenham’s willingness to negotiate suggests they are determined to bolster their midfield options with a player of Ramsey’s caliber.
