NEWCASTLE are on the verge of completing the signing of Jacob Ramsey – but he WON’T make his debut against Aston Villa.
The 24-year-old midfielder has agreed a five-year contract at St. James’ and will pen it after finishing his medical on Friday.
Ramsey could have been in line for a quick return to boyhood club Villa, who host the Magpies in their opening Premier League on Saturday.
However, SunSport understands that the £40m deal will not be completed in time for him to make his bow in Black and White on his old stomping ground.
Instead Ramsey, who Villa were forced to offload to help ease PSR concerns, will be in line to make his debut next Monday against Liverpool at SJP.
The ex-England U21 international joined the Villains’ academy aged six and played 167 times for them, scoring 17 goals, after making his senior breakthrough in 2019.
He is set to become Eddie Howe’s fourth signing of the summer joining winger Anthony Elanga , defender Malick Thiaw and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale , on-loan from Southampton, at Newcastle .
Meanwhile, wantaway striker Alexander Isak is set to be hit in the pocket by Newcastle as he continues to refuse to play for the club.
The wantaway Swedish striker, 25, is training alone away from his team-mates, who some have not seen since he failed to go on last month’s Far East tour.
Isak is desperate to join Liverpool, who had a £110m bid rejected by Toon, and has told Newcastle chiefs he will not play for them again, even if they refuse to sell him.
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The £150m-rated ace does not want to train with the rest of the squad either – effectively making him unavailable for match action.
The Magpies have continued to pay the £130,000-a-week forward throughout his stand-off and have yet taken any disciplinary action.
However, SunSport has learned that a fine is set to be issued if his actions lead to him missing a competitive game – which he will do against Aston Villa.
Though the star and his agent, Vlado Lermic, are still not changing their stance as they continue to try and force his exit.
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