The ink on Jacob Ramsey’s Newcastle United contract was barely dry when it became clear this was no ordinary signing.
A midfielder arriving in August may look like a routine move, but his arrival carries meaning, shaped by gaps in Eddie Howe’s squad and the demands of a season that will test Newcastle to the limit.
The Magpies finalised a £39m [$52m] agreement, with £4m [$5m] in add-ons, to prise Ramsey away from Aston Villa as discussions quickly accelerated once the player’s availability became clear.
The 24-year-old, who still had two years left on his deal at Villa Park, was left out of the 0-0 weekend draw between the two clubs, which underlined the inevitability over the move and his readiness to push it through.
Ramsey became Howe’s sixth signing of the summer, joining Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw, Antonio Cordero, Seung-soo Park and Aaron Ramsdale - with the latter arriving on loan.
Why Newcastle needed Ramsey’s arrival ahead of the Champions League
Newcastle’s decision to sign Ramsey was about more than adding depth to their depleted options.
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Howe has worked with a midfield built around a trusted core, but this summer left him short of options.
Sean Longstaff’s move to Leeds United removed a reliable figure, while Joe Willock’s calf injury cut off another important player.
That left Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Joelinton as his only senior midfielders, which was too much of a risk for a team facing challenges on several fronts.
The new UEFA Champions League format, guarantees Newcastle at least eight matches before January instead of six, and that number will rise if they progress further.
Along with the regular Premier League schedule and the domestic cup matches, it adds up to the busiest calendar the club has faced in many years.
Ramsey add something new to the Newcastle midfield - unlike Joelinton, who relies on physical strength, Ramsey prefers to drive forward with the ball, using speed and sharp movement and to make late runs into the box and link play between midfield and attack, which adds a different rhythm to Newcastle’s approach.
Another reason Howe values him is his flexibility. Ramsey is most comfortable as a left-sided number eight, but he can also step out wide if needed.
This allows Howe to manage the minutes of Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Elanga without weakening the team.
It also gives him freedom to move Joelinton between midfield and attack without leaving holes in the system.
That variety is what Howe lacked in the last few seasons and it could be vital for Newcastle in a year when every game will matter.
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