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(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Fri 15 August 2025 7:00, UK

Aston Villa will dismiss any enquiries about John McGinn’s availability now Jacob Ramsey has agreed to join Newcastle United, according to their former senior scout.

Mick Brown, also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Blackburn and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that Unai Emery is determined to keep hold of the 30-year-old.

Villa are believed to be open to offers for a number of key players as they aim to balance the books, but have no plans to let their captain leave.

This comes after Football Insider revealed on 7 August that Newcastle have held preliminary talks about signing McGinn, but Villa have made their stance clear.

Aston Villa have no plans to sell John McGinn.

(Credit: Imago)

Emery values the Scotland international as a leading voice in the dressing room despite his reduced playing time as the boss aims to keep improving his squad.

Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed in July that Aston Villa had rejected an enquiry from Everton and their stance has not changed since.

One player who is on his way is Ramsey, who was undergoing a Newcastle medical on Thursday night after jetting in to complete a deal.

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The Magpies will pay an initial £39m plus £4m in add-ons for the midfielder, who is set to sign a five-year contract.

Everton and Newcastle have both aimed to add McGinn’s experience and know-how to their squads ahead of the new Premier League season.

However, Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that Villa have only grown more resistant to his exit as the window has gone on.

“Aston Villa are not going to let John McGinn go,” he told Football Insider.

“Unai Emery is not going to sell his captain on the eve of the Premier League season.

“From what I hear, they’ve made it clear to the interested clubs whether it be Everton or Newcastle that he will not be for sale at this stage.

“There are a few players who I think could still leave Villa before the window shuts.

Unai Emery could be set for a busy end to the transfer window.

(Credit: Imago)

“They’ve had the situation with Martinez, and Watkins has been spoken about a lot.

“It’s all down to the financial situation they’re in, and that’s why clubs are thinking they might be able to get a deal for McGinn over the line.

“Aston Villa are insisting that will not be the case, and nor should it be.

“John McGinn isn’t the best player in the world, but what he is, is a captain, a leader, somebody who gives the club drive and personality both on and off the pitch.

“Even if he’s maybe not at the level of some other players in his position, you know he’s going to give you plenty when he does play.

“For any team, not just Villa, they can’t afford to lose a player like him.”

Villa have been subject to endless speculation about first-team players this summer given their tricky financial position, and Martinez is still attracting interest.

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider on 10 August that Man United are still interested in Martinez despite Villa’s hesitance to sell.

Man United are interested in signing Emiliano Martinez.

(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Uncertainty about the goalkeeper’s future has come as he was initially expected to leave Villa Park this summer amid interest from Saudi Pro League clubs as well as United.

However, he could now remain as part of Emery’s squad after an initial loan offer from Ruben Amorim’s Man United was rebuffed last month.

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