John McGinn might have joined Queens Park Rangers before joining Championship rivals Aston Villa from Hibernian last summer.
Ian Holloway has urged John McGinn to stay at Aston Villa and admitted he wanted to sign the midfielder when he was manager of Queens Park Rangers, as reported by Football League World.
McGinn has been a consistent bright spark in a mixed season for Villa, shining in central midfield after last summer’s protracted £3 million move from Hibernian (Birmingham Mail).
The Scotland international has provided energy, tenacity and plenty of quality in the engine room while his stunning long-range volley against Sheffield Wednesday, which clipped the bar for extra aesthetic effect, is surely a contender for the Championship’s Goal of the Season award.
McGinn has since been linked with a move to Leicester City, with the Daily Record reporting that the Foxes are prepared to back new manager Brendan Rodgers with a £20 million offer for a player he tried to sign for Celtic.
But Holloway, who is a firm admirer of the former St Mirren youngster, believes he should stay put.
“That’s one of my saddest moments because I thought we had him coming to QPR in the summer when I was still there,” said Holloway, who left Loftus Road last year.
“We might have lost him anyway to Aston Villa but we felt he was that good and the reports said that he was a bargain.
“Rain or shine, he’s got the quality, he puts a foot in and he does it all, he’s got everything. Will he go to Leicester, who knows? But if I was Villa I certainly wouldn’t to lose him.
“If I was him I would probably stick with Villa, too.”
With the threat of Financial Fair Play sanctions still hovering ominously above Villa Park, it remains to be seen whether they can afford to turn down £20 million.
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