Aston Villa news: Whelan issues ‘£60m’ McGinn-Man United transfer claim
Noel Whelan has claimed a Man United bid of around £60million for John McGinn could “force the hand of Aston Villa”.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 27-year-old may take some convincing to depart Villa Park with the Midlands side destined to become an “elite” club in the near future.
As reported by The Telegraph (17 January), Man United are targeting a summer move for McGinn after shortlisting the Aston Villa midfielder.
As quoted by the Manchester Evening News (22 January), manager Steven Gerrard insisted Villa are not a “selling club” but stopped short of ruling out a sale if a “Jack Grealish situation” arises.
However, Whelan claimed McGinn would not cost the £100million fee which saw Grealish depart for Man City last year (2021).
“I don’t think it’ll take Grealish money to get that deal done,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“I think it will be around £50-60million.
“That would really force the hand of Aston Villa and make them seriously think about it.
“However, Villa right now are putting together a team capable of challenging in that top six. They’re not going to stop spending. It’s exciting times for them, and they could have the longevity to burst into that elite group of clubs.
“Steven Gerrard is being given the backing. They want to assemble a squad of players who can compete in this league. Would McGinn want to leave that behind?”
McGinn has contributed three goals and two assists in 18 Premier League games for Aston Villa this term.
The 42-cap Scotland midfielder joined the Midlands giants in 2018 after departing Scottish side Hibernian.
In other news, Aston Villa line up new move for Premier League star amid ‘huge’ Gerrard verdict.