Nottingham Forest landed Jason Cummings for less than a fifth of what it would take to lure McGinn over from Hibs.
Hibernian manager Neil Lennon has made clear that any club who wants to sign John McGinn will have to pay big. As reported by the Nottingham Post, the Irishman values his 22-year-old talisman at around £5 million – meaning reported suitors Nottingham Forest would have to make McGinn their most expensive outlay since Britt Assombalonga if they want to bring the midfielder to the City Ground.
This, then, makes Forest’s bargain signing of McGinn’s former Hibs team-mate Jason Cummings look all the more impressive. According to The Post, Mark Warburton’s side managed to land the young striker for less than £1 million.
Warburton confirmed that Forest’s aim was to recruit young, hungry players with vast potential. That, in the crudest possible terms, translates to a potential buy low, sell high strategy that makes perfect sense in the second tier.
And while Cummings has been a little inconsistent, a little erratic at times, the 22-year-old looks like an excellent investment for the future.
Cummings, who became the first Hibs player in over 50 years to break the 20-goal barrier in three successive seasons, has struck just once in the Championship so far. He has plenty of time on his side, however, and appears to have that hard-working aptitude and goal-poaching nous that should make him a big hit eventually.
And that snip of a transfer fee looks all the more eye-catching when you consider that Hibs will demand £5 million for a player who shared star man duties with Cummings at Easter Road over the last few years.
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