Newcastle United are just over one week away from kicking off their 2025/26 Premier League season, facing Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Magpies fanbase will be hoping for a little more depth to match Eddie Howe's vision and maintain the trajectory that yielded triumph in last season's Carabao Cup and a fifth-place league finish, rolling out the carpet for a second Champions League campaign in three years.
Previously, there was an onus on adding quality to the Magpies ranks. Now, there's an urgent need for quantity as United gear up for the new campaign.
Alexander Isak's future rumbles like a dark cloud over St. James' Park, heightening the desperate situation at the front of the ship. After so many missed lunges, the situation is dire, although recent reports suggest talks have been held with Chelsea over the potential transfer of Nicolas Jackson, which could be next on the agenda.
Marc Guehi and Malick Thiaw have also been named as defensive targets, but Howe may yet need to sign a centre-midfielder too.
Why Newcastle need a midfielder
Last month, Newcastle sold the homegrown Sean Longstaff to Leeds United in a £12m move. The 27-year-old was always going to remain behind Howe's star midfielders, but the engine room has been thinned all the same.
Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff
Joe Willock was forced off during Newcastle's pre-season fixture against Team K League while in South Korea, and though fears of an Achilles injury have been allayed, he will still be sidelined for "a number of weeks," said Howe.
With these things in mind, it would be worth adding a bit more quality to add to Bruno Guimaraes' engine room, to be sure.
And as per the Daily Mail's Craig Hope, the Magpies are now 'considering a move' for Aston Villa's John McGinn. The former Hibernian man is high on the list of targets as Howe looks to head into the new season with enough depth in the centre.
Unai Emery won't want to sell his skipper, but PSR could loosen Villa's resolve, and the temptation of Champions League football might convince the player too.
Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn
Everton were previously interested in a £30m deal this summer, but their acquisition of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall means Newcastle have a great chance at sealing a shrewd transfer.
What John McGinn would bring to Newcastle
McGinn has completed 285 appearances since leaving Hibs for Aston Villa way back when, scoring 30 goals and supplying 40 assists.
Aston-Villa-John-McGinn
And over the past few years, he's been one of the most important cogs in Emery's system, not just the captain but a "very good example" for younger players to follow, as was said by his Spanish manager.
FBref have even recorded that McGinn's complete range of qualities means he is cut from a similar cloth to Guimaraes, who has been such a stalwart in the centre for Howe's Newcastle over the past several years.
Looking at the pairs' respective Premier League campaigns, there's certainly a likeness.
Premier League 24/25 - Bruno Guimaraes vs John McGinn
Stats (* per game)
Matches (starts)
Goals
Assists
Touches*
Pass completion
Big chances created
Key passes*
Dribbles (success)*
Ball recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Duels (won)*
Data via Sofascore
McGinn's energy and enthusiasm are not easily captured by statistical analysis, though, with his prowess as a "midfield machine", as was once noted by reporter Ashley Preece, something that comes from his off-the-ball movement, his tenacity and his work ethic.
Another thing about the Scotland international is that his athleticism lends itself to alternative roles down the left flank, which is something that would give Howe an extra dimension and the opportunity to field both players together, with Guimaraes feeding McGinn.
Guimaraes might have more technical mastery, but both players are strong and commanding and confident on the ball, with the Brazilian actually described as being "at the heart of everything good" for the Toon by club legend Alan Shearer.
So too has McGinn's progress in claret been synonymous with Aston Villa's period of success.
bruno-guimaraes-newcastle-united-premier-league
McGinn has been a staple in the Premier League for many years and would unquestionably bring energy and impetus to Howe's squad. Given his Guimaraes-like attributes and invaluable leadership skills, getting a deal done pronto feels crucial at this stage.
That curtain-raiser at Villa Park just got a bit more interesting, eh.