Aston Villa are eyeing a summer move for AFC Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie, with his contract set to expire at the end of next season.
Villa eyeing Christie with McGinn’s future in doubt
Prior to moving to the Premier League, Christie made 151 appearances for Celtic, picking up 42 goals and 44 assists during a successful spell with the Hoops, and Unai Emery has personally been keen on signing the midfielder for quite some time.
Emery is a fan of the Scottish maestro, due to his ability to play in deeper and more attacking midfield roles, and he has a ‘close friendship’ with John McGinn, featuring alongside the Villa captain in Steve Clarke’s midfield at international level.
However, there are some doubts surrounding McGinn’s future heading into the summer transfer window, with David Moyes considered a big fan, and Everton are now plotting a move.
There would be little reason to cash-in on the 31-year-old though, given that he remains under contract until 2028, and he has been a key player for Emery this season, amassing seven goals and six assists in 38 matches across all competitions.
Should McGinn remain at Villa Park, he could be united with one of his international teammates, according to reporter Sebastien Vidal, who has revealed Aston Villa are plotting a summer move for Christie.
With the 31-year-old approaching the final year of his Bournemouth contract, Villa are eyeing a “coup”, as his versatility appeals to Emery, and the “strong bond” he has with McGinn could help facilitate a move.
Former manager Gary O’Neil has lauded the 66-cap Scotland international as “incredible” in the past, and he has been a vital player for a Bournemouth side that have been mounting a push for Europe this season.
Ryan Christie
Christie has made 24 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth this season, registering two goals, having often featured in a deeper midfield role.
The Inverness-born midfielder has also captained his side on six occasions, and he is averaging 1.8 successful dribbles per 90, which is the highest number in the Bournemouth squad.
John McGinn
McGinn, on the other hand, has four goals and four assists to his name in 27 Premier League outings, and he is also very adept at winning back possession, regaining the ball an average of 0.9 times per 90 in the final third.
WIth that in mind, there is no way Villa should consider letting their captain leave this summer, but international teammate Christie could be a decent addition to the midfield, given that Emery has been short on options in the engine room at times this season due to injuries.
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