Aston Villa take action to avoid Manchester United and Liverpool transfer 'fight'

Aston Villa are reportedly preparing to offer their midfielder John McGinn a new contract.

McGinn has been heavily linked with a move away from the club, with Villa's Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool credited with an interest in the Scotland star.

The 27 year-old only signed a new contract in December 2020 and has three-and-a-half years left on that deal but the club are said to be looking at extending it by an extra couple of years to keep the player's value high.

BirminghamLive 's colleagues at the Mirror report that Villa boss Steven Gerrard wants the 2018 signing from Hibernian to be rewarded with a new deal to reflect his status as a key first-team player.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez signed a new contract last month, and Gerrard is said to want to ensure other players in his squad are offered fresh terms.

Liverpool and United have reportedly scouted McGinn, who has scored three times and registered two assists for Villa in 19 games this season.

He has improved under Gerrard since he came in last November as a replacement for the sacked Dean Smith.

"We are certainly not a club that is looking to sell," Gerrard said.

"Our intention is to keep John here.

"We don't want to be a selling club unless there is a situation, as with Jack Grealish (to Manchester City), which works itself out if you like.

"We want (McGinn) to remain a Villa player, and we can’t be any clearer on that.

"We love the player, we love the human being, and we want to help him.

"We certainly see it as a compliment when our best players, or any of our players, are linked with big moves away.

"I think it shows they are playing at a consistent level."

McGinn has been a key player for the entirety of his career at Villa,