In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, Rob Lee, who played 18 times for West Ham, has claimed that they will have to pay £40 million to prise John McGinn away from Aston Villa this summer.

The Hammers will be looking to improve their squad at the end of the season as they look to make another push for Europe, and they've been linked with McGinn from Villa who has proved himself to be a versatile and effective player.

Players such as Andriy Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson are likely to be moved on this summer with their contracts set to expire in 2022, and David Moyes will want to squeeze every last penny out of his transfer budget.

Speaking on how he's been impressed with John McGinn this season and how much West Ham will have to pay to sign the Scotland international, Lee told The Transfer Tavern:

"John McGinn has been very good, and I like him because he's not your typical looking football player, which I love.

"He would be an asset to anybody but can any team prise him away from Aston Villa? They'll probably ask for around £40 million because the prices are so mad these days."

The £25,000-per-week winger has been a mainstay in the Villa side ever since Dean Smith came to the club, however he was signed by current Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce from Hibernian in 2018.

Villa had aims of qualify for Europe this season, but a shin injury to captain and talisman Jack Grealish has seen their form take a turn for the worst.