· 7 August 2025, 18:00
News broke on Wednesday afternoon that Newcastle United were now eyeing Aston Villa captain John McGinn as a potential midfield option this summer, as Eddie Howe feels the squad is short in that department.
Eddie Howe recently spoke about the need to have six midfielders in the squad, and with Sean Longstaff having left to join Leeds United, Newcastle are down to five, and one of those is out for four to six weeks after Joe Willock picked up an injury in the friendly against Team K-League last week.
So with Newcastle heading into a new season with just four midfielders, the club are now looking to recruit for that position.
Aston Villa's John McGinn has emerged as the leading candidate, it seems, but the Magpies aren't the only club keen on the 30-year-old Scotland international.
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Everton have had a bid rejected for John McGinn
Newcastle will have to bid more than £18 million if they want to land John McGinn
Everton is also keen on McGinn and has made their move already. Sky Sports have reported today that Villa have turned down an £18 million bid from David Moyes' side and insist that McGinn is not for sale.
McGinn's leadership and experience are seen as the key reasons both Everton and Newcastle are keen on McGinn.
At 30, it's clear that Newcastle are now running off an entirely different playbook in the window, having been met with dead ends at every turn so far, as Newcastle have prioritised younger players to develop in the past.
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Signing John McGinn would almost feel like admitting defeat
We still can't get excited for a move for John McGinn if we're being honest. I mean, yes, it's potentially a new addition and we are screaming out for a win in the market right now, but a 30-year-old Scottish international is a far cry from the likes of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman and Alexander Isak.
Obviously, not every player we sign has to be of that ilk, but this summer, when we really need a win, John McGinn doesn't feel like it.
That being said, he will be a solid addition, albeit not an exciting one, so we can get where the interest comes from. And we'll be singing a different tune if he signs and bangs in a screamer against his old club on the opening day of the season.