Tottenham set to improve bid for Jacob Ramsey after Aston Villa's initial rejection

Tottenham Hotspur are gearing up to submit an enhanced offer for Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey after their initial bid of £20 million plus Giovani Lo Celso was turned down according to Evening Standard.

Villa, who value the 23-year-old academy product at around £40-£50 million, consider Ramsey a crucial player for the upcoming season and are holding firm on their valuation.

Having successfully navigated the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) compliance, Aston Villa find themselves in a strong financial position and are not under immediate pressure to sell. Despite the inclusion of Giovani Lo Celso in the initial offer, who has previously played under Villa manager Unai Emery at Villarreal, the proposal failed to sway the Midlands club.

Lo Celso, with just one year left on his Tottenham contract, is among several players the North London side is looking to offload this summer.

Tottenham's interest in Ramsey is largely motivated by their need to comply with UEFA regulations for homegrown players in the Europa League next season. As a former England Under-21 international, Ramsey fits this requirement perfectly. Spurs' technical director, Johan Lange, who moved from Villa in October, recognises Ramsey's potential and views him as an ideal addition to the squad.

However, Ramsey's recent injury record is a concern for Tottenham. The midfielder made only 16 Premier League appearances last season due to various injury issues and is currently recovering from a toe injury. While he is expected to be fit for pre-season, there are no guarantees he will regain his best form, making the substantial investment in his transfer a potential risk for Spurs.

Under the guidance of new head coach Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham are looking to bolster their squad in a bid to return to the Champions League. In addition to Ramsey, Spurs are also in the market for a centre-forward, with Lille's Jonathan David among their interests. However, Villa's own interest in David and their offer of Champions League football could give them the upper hand in securing his signature.

Postecoglou has called for significant changes at Tottenham, with several players, including Richarlison, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Emerson Royal, and Bryan Gil, available for transfer. Returning loanees Djed Spence, Sergio Reguilon, and Joe Rodon are also not part of Postecoglou's plans, as he looks to reshape the squad to fit his vision for the club.

As Tottenham prepare to submit an improved bid for Jacob Ramsey, the club's willingness to meet Villa's asking price and Ramsey's fitness will be key factors in determining the outcome of this potential transfer.