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Can Sunderland really compete with Celtic for John McGinn?

Brendan Rodgers manager of Celtic celebrates victory after the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on ...
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League One Sunderland reportedly want Hibernian midfielder John McGinn but Scottish Premiership giants Celtic have made the first move.

John McGinn of Hibernian in action during the pre season friendly between Hibernian and Sunderland at Easter Road on July 9, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Sunderland have already landed one Hibernian midfielder this summer in Dylan McGeouch but the chances of his former Easter Road team-mate making the same move to Wearside look slimmer now than ever.

It is understood that Sunderland’s new manager Jack Ross would love to bring John McGinn to the Stadium of Light. The 23-year-old, an energetic and all round central midfielder, is one of the rising stars in Scottish football and helped Hibs finish fourth last season.

Callum McGregor of Celtic tackles John McGinn of Hibernian during the Betfred Cup Semi-Final at Hampden Park on October 21, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland.

But The Chronicle (live blog, 8.02am) reports that Sunderland might just have been priced out of the race.

It is understood that Celtic have had a £1.5 million bid for McGinn rejected by the Edinburgh giants though The Hoops are expected to return with a new offer for a player who has been tipped to be the long-term successor for Scott Brown.

John McGinn of Hibernian in action during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Hibernian at Ibrox Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Hibs, the Daily Record claim, want about £4 million for McGinn. And The Chronicle adds that Sunderland may be forced to look elsewhere should Celtic raise their bid.

Despite being taken over by the ambitious Stewart Donald, funds are still tight at Sunderland – especially with the club in desperate need of getting rid of some of their high earning flops such as Lamine Kone and Papy Djilobodji.