2017-18 Premier League season is nearing its conclusion and the clubs are gradually shifting their attention to the summer transfer market. Although Manchester City have already confirmed the prestigious league title, many are still battling out to avoid a relegation whereas the ‘top four’ of the league still remains undecided.
Brighton & Hove Albion, who earned a promotion this season under Chris Hughton, have done a commanding job in the top flight and likely to avoid a return to Championship despite being one of the bottom half sides in a congested relegation battle.
The Seagulls might still need a few points to ensure safety, however, they are already lining up bids to recruit several resources to strengthen their squad for the upcoming campaign and John McGinn of Hibernian is reportedly one of them.
The 23-year-old Scottish international has been one of the top performers of the ongoing Premiership season and drawing the attention of several English outfits with Bournemouth and Brighton are leading the chase.
He is currently enjoying his sixth successive senior campaign in Scottish football and the former St Mirren midfielder has improved immensely under Neil Lennon in recent years. Lennon has guided Hibs to a Premiership promotion as they are now contesting Rangers and Aberdeen for the runners-up spot and a place in next season’s Europa League competition. The midfield sensation has played a pivotal role in their rise and earned enormous applauds scoring twice against the champions Celtic back in September.
McGinn, meanwhile, will be entering the final 12 months of his contract in summer and unlikely to extend his stay which might force Lennon to sell his prized asset as soon as the transfer window opens.
An interest from Championship outfit Nottingham Forest was turned down last summer as the Hibs valued him around £5 mil, much higher than Forest’s offered sum. But a fee of £3 mil will be enough now to seal a deal as the player is open to a bigger career move as well.
‘I’ve always been respectful of the fact that I want to play at a higher level eventually.’
Brighton recruited quite a few unfamiliar names last summer who have exceeded expectations and performed spectacularly all season. José Izquierdo, Davy Propper and Pascal Groß are drawing the attention of several top outfits and Chris Hughton, the Seagulls’ boss, therefore, wants to add more options to his squad and wrapping up McGinn will increase the balance, strength and also depth in the middle of the park.
The left-footed Scotsman is capable of playing as a deep-lying playmaker as well as in a box-to-box midfield role. His versatility and creativity will be massive for the East Sussex outfit if the player settles in quickly in Premier League environment and starts replicating his excellence already exhibited in Scottish football.
