Hibs are playing hard ball over the future of their in-demand star man after a bid from Nottingham Forest.
Nottingham Forest offering just £750,000 for John McGinn, as reported in The Mirror, was always likely to go down like a lead balloon.
In fact, Hibernian manager Neil Lennon even went as far as to accuse the Championship club of attempting to unsettle his prized asset – before confirming that he values the 22-year-old at around £5 million.
Therefore, Forest may be forced to more than quintuple their initial offer if they are to reunite McGinn with Jason Cummings, the prolific striker he formed an excellent understanding with as Hibs cruised to the Scottish Championship title last season.
McGinn is one of the most talented young players currently plying his trade north of the border, earning three Scotland caps despite playing in the second tier in recent seasons.
Therefore, after Hibs lost Cummings to Forest, it is no surprise that the Edinburgh side will do everything they can to keep hold of last season’s second tier Player of the Year.
Worth the money?
Though whether Forest decide to rise to Lennon’s challenge remains to be seen. A £5 million deal would make McGinn the second most expensive signing in the club’s history, just £500,000 short of the fee they paid Peterborough United for Britt Assombalonga in 2014, as reported by the BBC.
However, McGinn’s superb performances for Hibs suggest that he would be a smart investment. Technically sound and a player of undoubted international class, McGinn would represent another intelligent foray into the Scottish market by Forest this summer.
Alongside Cummings, Barrie McKay, who Mark Warburton gave a chance to during his time in charge of Rangers, has shone after reuniting with the manager at the City Ground.
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