Liverpool would be interested in signing John McGinn but a deal is highly unlikely due to Aston Villa’s £ 50m price tag.
McGinn is one of Dean Smith’s most important players. He missed just one of Villa’s Premier League games last semester, provided six assists and scored three goals despite a decent portion of his minutes coming in a deep-lying midfield role.
He also played prominently for Scotland at Euro 2020 recently, playing every minute of Tartan Army’s three group games before their elimination.
Liverpool are preparing for life without the long-serving Georginio Wijnaldum, who joins Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. According to Athletic, Jurgen Klopp is a big fan of McGinn with the midfielder catching his attention in Villa’s 7-2 victory over the Reds last season.
Despite a “very real” interest, there is little chance that he will come in as Wijnaldum’s replacement. Villa are desperate not to sell one of their key players and they are in a strong negotiating position. Since their takeover back in 2017, they have managed to keep their star names and McGinn still has four years left to run on his contract.
Bidding must start between 45 and 50 million for the player, funds that Liverpool are reluctant to spend at the current time. Despite Wijnaldum’s exit, the Reds remain good in midfield. If they are no longer injured, their favorite three next season should be Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson, while Curtis Jones is expected to earn more playing time.
Henderson and Jones are two of Liverpool’s existing midfield options / Michael Regan / Getty Images
To say that there is concern about the form and uneven availability of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita. Second midfielder James Milner turns 36 next January.
Here’s a look at some of the realistic names Liverpool could make in the transfer market this summer.
Before signing anyone this summer, Liverpool will need to move some wingers on. Marko Grujic, Divock Origi, Harry Wilson and Neco Williams can all be too chopped up, but finding Premier League suitors for some of them can be a challenge.
