Aston Villa aim to deal Liverpool and Manchester United transfer ‘blow’ as midfield competition ‘revealed’

Aston Villa could be set to deal Liverpool and Manchester United a transfer blow - by handing John McGinn a new contract.

That’s according to reports from the Mirror print edition, which states that the Premier League duo remain keen on the Scottish midfielder.

McGinn, who remains under contract until 2025, has caught the eye after a string of impressive performances in the Villans’ engine room.

Liverpool have long been linked with the former Hibernian man, with reports late last year suggesting the Red Devils had joined the race.

But Villa are loathe to lose the 27-year-old, and the Mirror report suggests that they could offer to extend McGinn’s current contract by a further two years - while making him one of the club’s highest earners in a bid to ward off outside interest.

Elsewhere, Arsenal and West Ham United have been linked with summer moves for Phillipe Coutinho.

The Brazilian playmaker has impressed since joining Villa on loan from Barcelona, and Coutinho’s temporary employers hold an option to make the deal permanent in the summer.

But Spanish outlet Fichajes report that both the Gunners and West Ham United are considering summer swoops for the 29-year-old.

The report suggests that Barcelona could sell Coutinho to a club whose offer exceeds Villa’s purchase option - which reports have suggested stands at around £33million.