John McGinn has been part of the fabric of Aston Villa’s story for the past seven years.
Through the Championship, into the Premier League and Europe.
It’s been one helluva ride for the 30-year-old.
As Newcastle United circle, it’s worth remembering the journey that McGinn has been on.
Down and then, following Unai Emery’s appointment, on the up.
As connections go, his relationship with the fan-base is absolutely rock-solid. He just gets it.
Grounded - witness the touching goal-celebration tribute to a visually-impaired relative— and as honest as the day is long, it’s not very often that anyone could point to the Scot and question his industry.
And it appears that others recognise those qualities and want to spirit him closer to his roots.
McGinn Sale Would Only Make Sense if Aston Villa Upgrade
John McGinn in action for Aston Villa
From a footballing point of view, it would only make sense for Villa if they could guarantee better.
There are players out there and available you might consider who fall into that category.
For example, Douglas Luiz is reportedly of interest to Nottingham Forest.
The Brazil international has failed to fire at Juventus and is seeking a Premier League return.
On the face of it, if Villa sold McGinn and moved for Luiz, you’d say that was equitable.
But that doesn’t take into account the intangibles.
The qualities that have carried McGinn into the hearts of everyone associated with the club.
He has been a member of the senior leadership group at the club for a very long time.
And he is the go-to guy as far as Emery is concerned.
Whenever he is quizzed about his skipper in press conferences, the Spaniard always breaks into a smile and has previously labelled him as 'amazing'.
He doesn’t do that with other players, mind - no names, please.
There is a genuine warmth there.
And that doesn’t just happen by accident.
It’s because the guy is recognised for his qualities as a captain.
He does the right things as far as the club is concerned.
Sets standards.
And that’s the way professional football clubs operate best.
Through the quality of their senior professionals.
Yet as McGinn spoke last year ahead of the club’s Champions League debut against Young Boys, there was a hint of the motivation that drives him.
He doesn’t quite feel like he is going to be part of the journey, going forward.
And that’s a good driver for any player at a club that has made serious headway in the past few years.
If any club is moving forward, who wants to be left behind? Who wants to be shipped out?
John McGinn applauding the Aston Villa supporters
But this is different. Newcastle United are on the same upward trajectory.
Big club, lofty ambitions - plus they have the added bonus of Champions League football.
McGinn is now 30 years of age. And if the call comes - if the interest is genuine - then it would be difficult for anyone to begrudge him a last big payday.
The Scotland international has two years left to run on his current contract.
If he is to leave, there will be an extension to any agreement.
You can see what’s in it for him.
Assuming Villa receive their pound of flesh by way of a transfer fee, then it could be seen as a decent deal.
But somehow it doesn’t sit right, McGinn going.
The ties with the team that dragged the club around from being a middling Championship outfit are being weakened.
Sure, Tyrone Mings is still around.
But that will be about it.
McGinn’s presence on the pitch has acted like that of a security blanket.
When he was there, you could guarantee a level of industry - that Villa would be at it from minute one.
Supporters receive reassurance.
Any prospective move would tick boxes for a club like Newcastle who have raised expectations and added demands this season.
And for the player himself, it would give him fresh impetus.
For any player, there is nothing like being wanted.
For any club, the departure of a valued senior professional and reassuring presence weakens the collective.
And for this group of supporters, losing McGinn will be like losing one of their own.
Villa and Emery need to take that into consideration before pressing the button on any prospective sale.
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