Manchester United have reportedly identified Aston Villa midfield mainstay John McGinn as a potential candidate to replace contract rebel Paul Pogba.
According to a report from The Sun, Manchester United are considering a summer move for Aston Villa and Scotland midfielder John McGinn amid uncertainties over the future of Paul Pogba.
The Frenchman is in the final seven months of his contract with the Red Devils and has shown no indications of wanting to sign a renewal. If anything, his agent Mino Raiola has fueled speculations of a summer exit on a free transfer when his deal runs out. With Manchester United staring at the prospect of losing one of their best players, plans to replace him are already being devised.
A move for Lazio superstar Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has been considered in the recent past, and now Aston Villa’s John McGinn has emerged as another option for the 20-time English champions.
The 27-year-old has been with the Villans since 2018, when he signed from Scottish outfit Hibernian FC. McGinn played a key role in the Midlands outfit’s promotion to the Premier League in his debut campaign and has steadily built a reputation for himself as one of the most reliable operators in the middle of the park in the English top-flight ever since.
To date, McGinn has made 125 appearances for Aston Villa, bagging 16 goals and 21 assists. The Scotsman has been in good nick in the ongoing campaign, having been directly involved in five league goals from 14 matches, despite the team experiencing some problems under ex-manager Dean Smith.
McGinn has been particularly impressive in the last few games under new boss Steven Gerrard, and his performances at Villa Park have led to interest from Manchester United. The Red Devils are long-term admirers of the 27-year-old, having first expressed an interest in his services back in 2019 with the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson understood to be a fan of his fellow Scotsman.
While a move never materialised, they have continued to follow his progress with Villa and are now preparing to revisit their interest in the ex-Hibs ace come summer. With Pogba likely to depart and there being question marks over Donny van de Beek’s future, Manchester United will need a few midfield additions.
A move for RB Leipzig’s Amadou Haidara is already believed to be in the works at the insistence of newly-appointed interim manager Ralf Rangnick. Now, McGinn is also a player under serious consideration. His ability and composure on the ball, intensity and the capability to play a high-pressing style of football seemingly impressing the scouts.
McGinn’s contract with Villa runs till the summer of 2025, and he is likely to cost a sizable transfer fee should Manchester United firm up their interest in him in the summer.
