Transfer Talk: United want Villa star McGinn

Manchester United are eyeing up a move for Aston Villa star John McGinn to shore up their midfield.

The Scot, 27, has been one of Villa’s standout performers over the past two-and-a-half seasons.

And given the Red Devils’ issues in the middle of the park it is no surprise that McGinn is on their wanted list. 

United will not make a move until the summer, but will need to be prepared for a substantial outlay.

According to The Telegraph, Villa would want at least £40million to consider offloading one of their dressing room leaders.

The report suggests that ambitious Villa would not be keen to lose their star player for a second successive summer following Jack Grealish’s £100m move to Manchester City last year.

United have had a long-held interest in Borussia Dortmund and England midfielder Jude Bellingham.

They tried to sign the 18-year-old when he swapped Birmingham for Dortmund in 2020, but he felt there was a clear pathway to the first team in Germany. 

And with Erling Haaland still expected to leave the club this summer, BVB do not want to sell two of their starting XI in one window.

Yves Bissouma is another name United have been linked with and he is a player Villa are also interested in.

In other news

According to Fabrizio Romano, Anthony Martial wants to leave England if he is to depart Manchester United on loan this window with Juventus, Sevilla and Barcelona interested.

Reports in Italy suggest Arsenal’s bid to sign Juve’s Arthur Melo have halted with the Italians yet to find a replacement for the central midfielder.

The Daily Record believe Newcastle have made a £25.1m bid for 30-year-old Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata.