West Ham considering bid, Celtic also keen: Hibernian’s Leeann Dempster hints January exit for John McGinn

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Celtic and West Ham United are reportedly keen on Hibernian’s John McGinn.

Hibernian chief executive Leeann Dempster has told the Daily Mail that the club could be tempted into selling midfielder John McGinn this month.

Hibs swooped to land McGinn from St Mirren back in the summer of 2015, and the midfielder has become a key part of the side at Easter Road.

McGinn now has 14 goals in 117 games for Hibs, and his performances under Neil Lennon have resulted in him winning five Scotland caps.

Unsurprisingly, McGinn’s performances are attracting major interest, and Hibs will again have to fend off other clubs having snubbed an offer from Nottingham Forest over the summer.

The Daily Mail note that Celtic are admirers of McGinn, with Brendan Rodgers keen on the Hibs ace, whilst West Ham United are also thought to be considering a bid this month.

McGinn, 23, has just 18 months left on his Hibs deal, meaning that clubs may be sensing the right time to land him, offering him a big move in the coming weeks.

Now, Hibernian chief executive Leeann Dempster has told the Daily Mail that she understands there will be rumours about McGinn, but suggested that his valuation has risen this season.

Dempster added that Hibernian could be tempted into selling their prized midfielder, and she can’t guarantee that McGinn will be a Hibs player come February, potentially giving Celtic and West Ham hope.

“There will, of course, be a lot of speculation around John regarding other clubs being interested in him,” said Dempster. “There was an offer in the August transfer window and John has gone from strength to strength in the subsequent period. It’s inevitable that when you have good people either working for you, or playing at a club, that there is going to be interest.”

“It is always about weighing up our league position and what is best for us in the short and medium-term. We don’t know what the next month will bring, we don’t have a crystal ball we might get tested. If we are tested then we will carefully consider it,” she added.