TalkSport pundit Andros Townsend thinks that Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn would be an ideal signing for Liverpool to make this summer.
With the departure of Georginio Wijnaldum to Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer this summer, Liverpool are in need of an extra body in central midfield if they are to bounce back from what was a rather disappointing season considering where they have been in previous years.
McGinn is a player that Liverpool have reportedly shown an interest in previously, with a report from The Athletic claiming that his performance in Villa’s 7-2 win over Liverpool made Klopp take notice of his talent. It did later state, however, that “For Villa to even entertain the idea [of selling him], bidding would have to start at £45 million to £50 million.”
But speaking on TalkSport, Townsend felt that McGinn would be the ‘perfect’ man for Liverpool to sign this summer, noting that he is a ready-made player to fit into the German coach’s style of play:
“If I think of the type of player John McGinn is, I think that’d be perfect to the way Jürgen Klopp likes to play: fast, strong, gets about the pitch, defensively minded when needed. So I think people will raise their eyebrows because it’s John McGinn from Scotland. But I think if you look at him the way he plays and his credentials, 100% he could slot straight into that Liverpool team.”
TIF Thoughts on Andros Townsend’s comments about John McGinn signing for Liverpool…
Would McGinn be a good signing for Liverpool?
Yes
No
Townsend is right with his assessment of McGinn, and his views are backed up by the numbers, because he is something of an all-rounder.
He can contribute in defence, where he was joint-fourth for Villa in terms of tackles per game last season with 1.6 and joint-fifth in interceptions at 1.2. Meanwhile, in attack, he was fifth for both key passes at 1.1 and average passes per game at 36.9, not to mention adding six goals and nine assists during his two seasons in the Premier League as well, which is more than Wijnaldum was able to put up during the same time span.
The only thing that appears to be standing in their way is the price, but if they can make it work, then Liverpool could really be on to a winner here with McGinn at the helm.
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