Aston Villa’s new footballing chief Roberto Olabe has agreed a deal in principle with club captain John McGinn, TBR Football understands.

McGinn has become an integral performer under Unai Emery, who made it clear to the club’s hierarchy that he wanted his skipper tying down to a new deal.

Villa’s former president of football operations Monchi was advancing with talks and now we can confirm that Olabe, who arrived at the end of September, has picked up the baton and progressed with the new deal which should be confirmed before the end of the month.

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McGinn was the subject of approaches by Newcastle and Everton in the summer, whilst there was also interest from Nottingham Forest, but the 31-year-old Scottish midfielder wants to remain at Villa Park and now a deal is close to being finalised.

Indeed Olabe has been busy, as he has also close to sealing a long-term deal with right-back Matty Cash, again which the club will confirm before the end of the month.

As TBR Football revealed, talks are also ongoing with Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers.

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