View: Aston Villa must resist bids for John McGinn if they’re serious about Europe
Aston Villa have made it very clear to anyone who will listen what their plans are for the new season and the upcoming transfer window.
Steven Gerrard has said he is looking to sign players for the starting line-up to bolster the side, while deadwood will be shipped out to the highest bidder to create space and cash.
But one man who has got his position in the side set in stone for as long as he wants it is Scottish midfielder John McGinn, which is exactly why they need to resist any interest from the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United.
Tottenham have been linked with a move for the former Aberdeen midfielder in recent days [Telegraph], with Antonio Conte reportedly a big fan of his combative abilities in midfield as he looks to strengthen for their Champions League campaign next season.
But that alone should be reason enough for Villa to simply refuse to sell, because if he’s good enough for Conte and the Champions League then he is exactly what they want to have in their squad, which means they cannot sell.
The likes of Yves Bissouma and Kalvin Phillips have been linked in mega money moves for the upcoming window, which many would simply assume that the club are then replacing McGinn with.
But that would be a backwards move, because the depth doesn’t improve and they lose a quality player who is arguably better than the ones they’re bringing in. That’s replacing, not strengthening.
If Gerrard is serious about pushing this club up the league and towards a European place, they need to dig their heels in and keep their very best players.
Unless the offer is simply too good to refuse, which in this market is incredibly difficult to do when you’re a billionaire owned club, then there is no need to sell.
Give McGinn a new deal, retain his value and reward him for his brilliance since joining and build the team around him. He’s good enough to do that.
Plough on with the plans to greatly improve the lineup and give him the perfect tools to help him improve even more, and see where it takes you. Selling him only moves you backwards.
In other Aston Villa news, Tottenham want to sign Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn – report