TBR Football can exclusively confirm how Aston Villa captain John McGinn feels about the prospect of moving to either Everton or Newcastle United this summer.
Everton are on the lookout for further reinforcements in midfield after Abdoulaye Doucoure’s contract expired at the end of June.
And while the Toffees have signed Carlos Alcaraz and extended Idrissa Gueye’s contract, David Moyes wants to strengthen his midfield further.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have had a difficult transfer window and are eager to get more signings on board before the deadline.
The Magpies have missed out on numerous key targets and have lost two midfielders – Sean Longstaff and Isaac Hayden – without bringing a new one in.
TBR Football can also confirm what Aston Villa have said to both Everton and Newcastle regarding McGinn’s availability – or lack thereof, to be precise.
John McGinn of Aston Villa gestures during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Aston Villa FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
John McGinn ‘flattered’ by interest but does not want to leave Aston Villa
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Everton’s bid of £18million for John McGinn has been rejected out of hand.
Newcastle’s enquiry for McGinn has also been dismissed, with the Magpies also taking an interest in teammate Jacob Ramsey as they look to replace Sean Longstaff.
“Villa do not want to sell John McGinn – they have said that to Everton when rejecting their bid and also to intermediaries working with Newcastle,” Bailey exclusively told TBR Football.
“Unai Emery has made it clear he does not want to lose the Scottish star.
“As it stands, I am told McGinn is flattered but he loves Villa and does not want to leave the club.”
TBR Football previously confirmed that Unai Emery loves working with McGinn, who is “one of his key lieutenants in the squad”.
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What David Moyes previously said about John McGinn
Moyes spoke highly of McGinn back in August 2019, ahead of Villa’s first season back in the Premier League after earning promotion from the Championship.
“John McGinn is another central midfielder who can do great things this season,” Moyes told the Sunday Post.
“Alan Stubbs had him at Hibernian and raved to me about him many times. I can see why.
“He adapted very quickly to life in the English Championship and dominated many games.”
Moyes clearly rates McGinn highly – and understandably so – but so do Villa, and the player’s feelings for his current club are mutual.