Liverpool are reportedly watching Aston Villa’s John McGinn. That’s according to The Sunday Mirror (13/02, p74), who claim that The Reds could make a move for the player this summer.
Also included in the report is the news that Villa are preparing a new contract for the 27-year-old.
The midfielder, who has 42 caps for Scotland, still has three years to run on his current deal. But that deal is worth a relatively low £25,000-a-week.
Steven Gerrard reportedly wants to put McGinn amongst the top earners at Villa to fend off any interest from Liverpool, as well as Manchester United.
Looking increasingly unlikely
It isn’t the first time that Liverpool have been said to be following McGinn. Last June The Athletic reported that Jurgen Klopp’s interest in the Scotsman was ‘very real’.
However, it was claimed that Villa wouldn’t listen to bids below £45m. This may have cooled Liverpool’s interest in a summer where they prioritised sorting out their defence.
But that doesn’t appear to have deterred Klopp long-term. It may be that Liverpool see McGinn’s low wage demands as a way of off-setting the high price.
However, if McGinn were to sign a new contract with Villa, that may be game-over in terms of Liverpool’s interest.
He also turns 28-years-old later this year. It would be a sudden break from Liverpool’s transfer strategy of signing players around 23-25-years-old.
We know that The Reds will make exceptions to such a policy, as they did when signing then 29-year-old Thiago Alcantara. But with respect to McGinn’s excellent ability, he isn’t Thiago.
A perfect fit
If Liverpool do miss out on McGinn, they would be losing out on a player who would be ‘perfect’ for Klopp.
That’s according to Andros Townsend. Speaking to talkSPORT last summer, the Everton winger said that the midfielder could slot straight in to Klopp’s team.
“If I think of the type of player John McGinn is, I think that’d be perfect to the way Jurgen Klopp likes to play,” said Townsend.
“Fast, strong, get’s about the pitch, defensively minded when needed. People will raise their eyebrows because it’s John McGinn from Scotland. But if you look at him and the way he plays and his credentials, 100 per cent he can slot into that Liverpool team.”
Townsend isn’t necessarily wrong. But given the news about McGinn’s new contract and the amount of money he would cost, there are certainly better options out there for Liverpool.
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