Pundit Noel Whelan has been reacting to Aston Villa’s reported stance on midfielder John McGinn, as per Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Villa open to McGinn offers

Football Insider were informed by a Villa source recently that the club are open to offers for the 27-year-old this summer, with Steven Gerrard not totally convinced by the midfielder.

Manchester United and Tottenham have both been linked with a move for the Scot, who according to Football Insider reports is always “whinging” behind the scenes in the Midlands.

McGinn has been a regular at Villa Park over his four seasons at the club and has contributed to 37 goals, but it looks as if an exit is a possibility over the coming months.

The Latest: Whelan reacts

Whelan, who previously contributed for BBC Radio Leeds, was talking to Football Insider regarding the update on McGinn.

The 47-year-old admitted that he was ‘very surprised’ that Villa could listen to offers for the Scotland international and said that ‘alarm bells’ will duly be ringing at a number of other Premier League clubs.

Whelan stated:

“I didn’t think it would be McGinn that would be the one to leave. He’s a smashing player and he’s been looked at by top clubs.

“McGinn has been excellent for Aston Villa. He brings energy, tenacity, creativity, and goals – his work rate is unlike anyone else at Villa.

“I am very surprised to hear that Gerrard maybe regards him as surplus to requirements. Alarm bells are going to be ringing for a lot of Premier League sides now when they hear that news.”

The Verdict: A gamble

Selling McGinn for a top-tier fee this summer, especially to a direct rival, could be a gamble by Gerrard and Villa chiefs.

As per WhoScored, the 27-year-old was the club’s best-performing player in the Premier League last season and the only member of the squad to record an average match rating of more than 7/10, ultimately scoring 7.17.

He won more man-of-the-match awards than any other Villa player last season, so it could be wise to keep hold of McGinn for Gerrard’s first full campaign in charge in the Midlands.