Watford have become the first club to formally contact Aberdeen to discuss a January transfer for sought-after Everton target Calvin Ramsay, according to The Scottish Sun.
Ramsay is in high-demand south of the border ahead of the winter sales starting with eight Premier League sides keen. He has put clubs in England on high alert after cementing a key role in the Dons backline under Stephen Glass following his senior breakthrough in March.
Caretaker boss Paul Sheerin debuted the 18-year-old as the 2020/21 season wound down. He has since started 10 of his 12 Premiership appearances this term between missing eight games with a quadriceps injury. He also opened all six of the Pittodrie side’s European ties.
Ramsay recorded four assists in the Europa Conference League, but he could not prevent Aberdeen from exiting in the qualifiers. The Scotland U21 right-back has also offered four assists in the Premiership this season, including one in defeat to Celtic.
Watford have now stormed into the front row to seal a January transfer for Everton target Ramsay from Aberdeen. The Hornets are the first club to formally express their interest to the Dons, who value the teenager at £4m. But their advances sparked further interest.
Everton trailing Watford in race to sign Ramsay from Aberdeen
Everton have continued to scout Ramsay during the 2021/22 Premiership season alongside a number of English clubs. The Scottish Sun first reported the Blues’ interest in September, noting Rafa Benitez’s side sent one of their top talent spotters to Pittodrie to run the rule.
Leicester, West Ham and Southampton were also alert to his rise under Glass at the start of the season. But Manchester United, Norwich, Watford and Newcastle are also now keen.
Watford’s approach to Aberdeen to beat Everton to a transfer for Ramsay saw Newcastle step up their pursuit, as well. Eddie Howe recognises the teenager’s huge potential and is thinking ahead to what he can one day offer on Tyneside.
Glass, meanwhile, is realistic over the Dons’ chances of retaining Ramsay, who Chairman Dave Cormack insists will only leave during January for a club-record seven-figure fee.
Everton, then, trail Watford – and possible soon Newcastle – in the race to seal a transfer for Aberdeen gem Ramsay. But the Toffees could try a raid of their own for a rising star.
“He grew into the game,” former Dons caretaker boss Sheerin said of Ramsay in April, via quotes by BT. “He loves going forward, but maybe he needs to tighten up defensively at times. But all young players do as they learn the game.
“He’s a confident lad and loves getting on the ball and putting crosses into the box. I thought he did that really well, first half especially, plenty crosses into the box. For a full debut it was a decent one.”
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