Tottenham see player-plus-cash bid for Jacob Ramsey turned down by Aston Villa

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Aston Villa ace Jacob Ramsey and have tabled an opening bid for the midfielder.

Spurs proposed a player-plus-cash deal, offering £20 million plus Giovani Lo Celso, but The Times reports that Villa have turned down their offer.

The Villans are open to selling their academy graduate this summer but are holding out for a fee north of £40m for the former England Under-21 international.

Ramsey spent most of last season sidelined due to injury but featured 21 times across all competitions, contributing a goal and two assists.

Despite his injury-plagued campaign, Tottenham are interested in the midfielder and are trying to leverage Villa’s financial situation to negotiate a fair deal.

Villa are one of several Premier League clubs that need to raise funds before the end of the month to comply with the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

However, having sold Tim Iroegbunam to Everton and Omari Kellyman to Chelsea while Douglas Luiz is on the verge of joining Juventus, Villa are under no immediate pressure to sell Ramsey.

Tottenham’s move for the English midfielder echoes their desire to strengthen their squad this summer, but they’ll need to raise their offer to complete a deal.

Tottenham are better off looking elsewhere

Ramsey struggled with a foot injury during the first half of the season. He started just eight Premier League games before a toe problem ruled him out for the remainder of the season.

Ramsey is undeniably a top talent, but there’s no guarantee that he will be able to recapture his best form after a lengthy lay-off.

The 23-year-old is valued at around £30m on Transfermarkt, so Tottenham’s offer should have been more than enough to secure a deal.

It remains to be seen if Spurs will return with a second bid, but they’re better off looking elsewhere for midfield reinforcements.

Villa’s £40m valuation is excessive, and Spurs might be wise to explore other fit options that are potentially available at a more reasonable price.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com