According to TEAMtalk, Stoke City and West Brom have entered the hunt to recruit Aiden McGinlay, a young player from Queen’s Park.
The 17-year-old is not alone among Championship clubs to have piqued the curiosity of Norwich City and Ipswich City, as well as Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic, according to a Daily Record story published earlier this week.
Before moving to Queen’s Park, Ipswich actually asked the young player for a two-week trial, and they are reportedly still keeping an eye on him in anticipation of a possible summer transfer.
However, it’s been reported that Stoke and West Brom are now at the front of the queue for the Scotland U17 international, and they see him as a potential star in the making and someone who could play first-team football in the future.
Aiden McGinlay has impressed for Queen’s Park this season
The 17-year-old signed for Queen’s Park from fellow Scottish side Partick Thistle earlier this season, and despite not having made his first-team debut for the Scottish Championship side yet, his performances at youth level have led to transfer interest.
He is regarded as the most promising talent in Queen’s Park’s academy, and has featured for both the club’s Under-18 side, and the club’s B team, earning rave reviews.
The Hampden Park-based club are said to be keen to tie him down to a professional contract to give themselves some security, but the club are reportedly braced for interest in the player.
As the player is yet to put pen to paper on a professional deal at Hampden Park, Queen’s Park would only be able to demand a minimal compensation fee as he has only been at the club for less than a year since moving from Partick Thistle.
Given that he’s not signed a professional deal and could be available for a bargain fee, you can see why a number of Championship clubs and Celtic are keeping tabs on McGinlay ahead of a potential summer move.
Stoke City and West Brom face stiff competition for Aiden McGinlay
Despite reportedly being at the front of the queue when it comes to a move for Aiden McGinlay, both Stoke and West Brom will face stiff competition this summer when it comes to getting a deal over the line.
Ipswich have just been promoted to the Premier League, so may be a more appealing option for the youngster, and having been on trial at Portman Road before, the Tractor Boys may have an advantage.
Celtic being interested in the player will also be a blow to the English clubs interested, with the Bhoys being one of the biggest clubs in Scotland, and a move to Celtic Park would keep him in Scotland, which McGinlay may want.
It remains to be seen what division West Brom will be playing in next season after reaching the play-offs, but Stoke will be a Championship side next season, which means they may have an advantage when it comes to fast-tracking McGinlay to first-team football.
| Championship Table 2023-24 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Club | P | GD | Pts |
| 15th | Watford | 46 | 0 | 56 |
| 16th | Sunderland | 46 | -2 | 56 |
| 17th | Stoke City | 46 | -11 | 56 |
| 18th | QPR | 46 | -11 | 56 |
| 19th | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | -14 | 63 |
With less quality and strength in depth, McGinlay is more likely to get his first-team breakthrough at a Championship side, rather than at a team in the Premier League.
This is something him and his representatives will no doubt be considering, and perhaps could help Stoke, or West Brom if they fail to get promoted, sign McGinlay this summer.
