Ex-Leeds man and pundit Noel Whelan has come out and tipped John McGinn to sign for Wolves in the summer, stating that the player would find it hard to snub such a move.
TEAMtalk have reported that Nuno Espirito Santo’s team are competing with both Everton and Leicester City for the signing of the Scotland international, implying that Aston Villa could have their work out to keep him at the club in the summer, especially if they are relegated.
According to the report, Manchester United have seemingly dropped out of the race for the Scottish international, focussing more on Jack Grealish instead, pathing the way for Wolves to after the midfielder.
Whelan was asked whether or not he thought McGinn would have his head turned by one of the club’s rivals in Wolves, and he thinks it would be too hard to turn down.
Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan said: “Yes. Wolves have got the right balance. They go for the right players with the right attitude and right attitude and he fits Nuno’s criteria.
“They have always been hard-working, disciplined and organised since Nuno joined. When we saw them in the Championship they were battering teams. They were far superior to everybody else. Even the way they did their warm-up – they had a plan.
“He goes out there and buys players on due diligence and he is very clever about the players he brings in. So far it has worked very well.
“The prospect of Wolves would whet the appetite of any player. I do not think Aston Villa will go down but if they do you will see an exodus.”
While United might not be the force they once were, they were probably the favourite to sign the 25-year-old, whereas now it has been blown wide open. Leicester are the highest in the league and look pretty certain for Champions League football if – and that’s a big if – the season can get completed. Everton under Carlo Ancelotti have improved massively and look a far more attractive prospect under the guise of the three-time Champions League-winning manager. And then there’s Wolves; they are knocking at the door of Champions League qualification and have a chance to get to the final eight of the Europa League – so each team has something going on for them.
McGinn was one of Villa’s most influential and potent players before he got injured on December 21. From 18 Premier League games he managed to score three times and assist two, despite playing from central midfield.
Would you sign John McGinn?
Yes
No
With McGinn such a vital part of this Villa team, the only chance they have of keeping him will be if they stay in the Premier League, which is pretty up in the air at the moment.
If they stay up, then Villa have the mandate to ask for a big fee and that could end up pricing the club out.
Nevertheless, Wolves and Villa are miles apart at the moment in terms of quality and potential, so based on that, it is hard to see how McGinn wouldn’t be interested in making such a step up.
McGinn was anonymous when he played at Molineux. He’s a good player in a poor team but not necessarily what we are after or need. We need a game changer who can open up defences and score goals occasionally. Go for Grealish, why not?