Why Newcastle should sign John McGinn to improve their midfield options
As per Daily Star (h/t The Shields Gazette), Newcastle United are considering a £30m move for Aston Villa star John McGinn in the summer.
McGinn, 25, was signed by the Villans in 2018 from Scottish side Hibernian FC when Steve Bruce was in charge at Villa Park. After three brilliant seasons with the Hibs, he immediately established himself as one of the most important players for Villa.
He impressed after his arrival in England but a crucial ankle injury in the latter stages of the season hampered his progress. His absence has also been hugely felt by the Villans, who are struggling to move out of the danger zone.
Meanwhile, the Magpies have struggled for consistency throughout the campaign. After enjoying a place in the top half of the table until December, they have slipped to 13th position in the league standings after winning just one of their last 7 league games.
The attacking unit has failed in front of goal, scoring just 25 so far, which is the lowest in the top-flight this term. While the attacking unit has failed miserably, there has not been enough support from the midfield except for Jonjo Shelvey, who has contributed with 5 goals.
The Magpies boss brought in Valentino Lazaro and Nabil Bentaleb on loan last winter but both of them have not had enough opportunities to show their best. They could be on their way back after their loan spell ends, leaving Bruce with limited options in the midfield.
Shelvey, Matt Ritchie and Sean Longstaff are the only other forward-thinking midfielders. Thus, to improve their performance and bring stability to their game, the Magpies should bring reinforcements to the squad.
In that case, Villa star John McGinn could be a useful option for them in the middle of the park. And given his impressive performances before he picked up the injury, he would surely bring a different dimension to Newcastle’s game.
He was instrumental in the Championship last season, racking up 6 goals and 10 assists and helped his side get promoted to the top-flight. He has continued his fine form this term, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists in 18 league games.
The Scotsman has been vital for both his club and country and has made nearly 300 appearances at club level. His experience combined with his fine run of form could be valuable for Bruce’s squad if he joins them.
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Verdict
With a lack of all-round quality, bringing in a midfielder could help the Magpies shape their game for good. McGinn would definitely add depth and quality to the squad. Thus the Scottish international should be their top priority in the summer transfer window.