Aston Villa head coach Steven Gerrard would be taking a 'huge gamble' by allowing John McGinn to make a 'surprise' exit from Villa Park, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.
Gerrard is in the process of reshaping his squad ahead of a first full season at the helm, having moved into the dugout last November, and it appears McGinn could be among the big-names deemed surplus to requirements.
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What's the latest news involving McGinn?
According to Football Insider, Villa are willing to listen to offers for McGinn ahead of the summer transfer window's closure on September 1.
The report suggests Gerrard is not convinced by the 48-cap Scotland international and could sanction his departure due to finding him not the easiest of players to manage behind the scenes.
That could open the door for Tottenham Hotspur after boss Antonio Conte earmarked McGinn as a potential acquisition during the closing stages of last season.
ExWHUemployee, speaking on The West Ham Way podcast via West Ham Zone, has revealed Hammers chief David Moyes is also an admirer and keen to make the 27-year-old a marquee signing.
However, suitors may have to spend big in order to lure McGinn away from the Midlands as he still has three years remaining on his £70,000-per-week Villa contract.
What has Pete O'Rourke said about McGinn?
O'Rourke has admitted he would be shocked to see McGinn leave Villa during the current transfer window.
The journalist also feels sanctioning the £34million-rated central midfielder's exit could come back to haunt Gerrard, particularly if he joins a domestic rival.
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O'Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: "It would be a huge surprise to see someone like John McGinn possibly leave Aston Villa.
"He has been a talismanic figure for them in the last couple of seasons in the Premier League and it would be a huge gamble by Villa if they were to let him go because I think if he went to another club, he could maybe come back to haunt Villa.
"I think, on his day, McGinn is arguably among the top midfielders in the country. He's proven that for Villa and for Scotland over the last couple of years."
Can Villa afford to let McGinn go?
Some would argue that it has become more of a possibility after Gerrard moved quickly to welcome Boubacar Kamara to the club ahead of becoming a free agent at the end of his Marseille contract.
However, there is no doubt that fans' favourite McGinn, who made 36 appearances last season, would be a major loss for Villa.
Over the course of 147 outings since his move from Hibernian, the Scotsman has become an influential figure on the pitch.
According to WhoScored, McGinn secured an average rating of 7.17 during the 2021/22 Premier League campaign, so it is clear allowing him to leave would be a mistake by Gerrard.