Aston Villa planning to hold contract extension talks with midfielder John McGinn | OneFootball

Aston Villa want to open contract talks with Scotland international midfielder John McGinn as they look to fend off interest in him, according to The Athletic.

Newcastle United want to lure the Villa star away from the Midlands, but manager Unai Emery is keen to retain his services.

McGinn has two years left on his contract, and Villa are open to extending his stay at the club.

Villa have already agreed to hand Lucas Digne a two-year contract extension, and their captain could now be next in line given how important he is to the squad.

The Villans will attempt to secure a berth in the 2026-27 Champions League after missing out on qualification for the elite European competition next season.

They will look to win the Europa League and also challenge for a top-five finish in the English top-flight, and they need McGinn available for the tasks ahead.

The former Hibernian star featured in 49 games across all competitions last season, bagging four goals and six assists, and he remains crucial to Villa’s plans.

Everton were also credited with an interest in him earlier in the summer, but signed English midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea instead.

Keeping McGinn for as long as possible will be huge for Villa, and Emery will hope more key players follow suit as he looks to build a squad capable of challenging for the league title.

England international striker Ollie Wakins is another player who has been linked with an exit this summer.

Newcastle United are monitoring his situation, but the Midlands club will hope to hold on to him as they look to impress across all competitions next season.