To say that this has been one of the strangest transfer windows any club has had in recent memory would be an understatement.
Newcastle United finally answered their long-term right winger problem with the signing of Anthony Elanga. And Aaron Ramsdale has been brought in as fresh competition for Nick Pope.
But the window will long be remembered for the sheer amount of unsuccessful attempts we’ve made to sign our top targets, pipped to the post each time by a member of the ‘Big Six’ despite our Champions League status and eye watering transfer fees being offered.
And it looks like things may be about to take an even more drastic turn as the club eye up a surprise move for a certain Aston Villa captain…
According to The Mail’s Craig Hope, Newcastle are now considering a shock bid for Aston Villa’s John McGinn, with Eddie Howe’s determined to head into the season with six midfield options.
Having sold Sean Longstaff and just lost Joe Willock to injury, Lewis Miley is the next available option should one of our starting trio become unavailable.
Though signing attacking options still looks to be the priority, with two strikers potentially needed, McGinn is said to be highly-regarded for his reliability and character: two traits Howe is known to value above all else.
Villa are in a tricky situation: though they don’t want to sell their captain, and he still has two years left on his contract, Unai Emery’s side need to raise funds quickly if they want to make any more signings in the market.
And though it’s not been the asset we had hoped it would be at the start of the window, it’s understood that our offer of Champions League football could tempt McGinn to switch Villa Park for St James’ Park.
Hope also claims that McGinn isn’t the only Villa star we’re eyeing up: on top of the pre-existing reports that Ollie Watkins could be our next striker, Jacob Ramsey is still admired.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle considering move for John McGinn
🔍 Eddie Howe wants midfield signing & Aston Villa captain high on shortlist
👇 Full story w/ @MailSport colleague Simon Jones…https://t.co/2Qa6B7avOi
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) August 6, 2025
Up until now, there had been a focus on bringing in younger players with potential to become either world-class or capable of being sold on for profit down the line.
But in midfield, with 18-year-old Miley our only back up to our starting trio, we need reinforcements and a reliable replacement to cover Longstaff and Willock.
Signing McGinn would not get fans off their seats, but he’s a leader, versatile, works his socks off and has bags of experience as we enter a tough season tasked with competing on four fronts.
It would also weaken a rival, although that in itself could make Villa reluctant to sell, unless the player pushes for a move to be closer to family up in Scotland.
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