Newcastle are reportedly plotting an attempt to hijack Aston Villa's bid for Philippe Coutinho this summer.

Coutinho, on loan at Villa Park from Barcelona, is expected to leave the Nou Camp permanently this summer.

Coutinho looks set to be the subject of a transfer tug-of-war this summer

Despite struggling in LaLiga since his record-breaking £142million switch from Liverpool in 2018, the Brazil playmaker has shown his enduring class under Steven Gerrard.

Since arriving in January, the 29-year-old already has four goals and three assists in ten Premier League matches.

It is no secret Villa want to keep him beyond the six-month loan deal - and a £33.5m permanent move has been mooted.

However, according to Spanish outlet Sport, the newly-rich Magpies are prepared to offer Coutinho a £1m signing-on bonus to choose St James' Park instead.

Newcastle have catapulted up the top-flight table, moving clear of the relegation zone, following a number of impressive January signings.

Backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the Toon are expected to continue assembling a squad which will, one day, challenge for titles - and Coutinho is thought to be part of that plan.

Coutinho has been impressive since his return to the Premier League

Meanwhile, Villa boss Gerrard remains patient as the club continue to work on securing the Brazilian's future.

"For me it doesn't make any sense to make any decisions now," Gerrard said last month when asked about Coutinho's future.

"When he's physically in the right place, when he's comfortable and happy and enjoying his football, we all know we're dealing with a world-class talent.

"We just need to keep enjoying him, to keep him healthy from now until the end of the season and I'm sure he'll help us. To watch him and work with him and see him get back to his top form and enjoy his football again is a pleasure."

Gerrard added: "Phil was successful at Barcelona but he had difficult periods as well. He got to the stage where he needed a change of scenery and a different movie.

"We want to be that movie for him because if we want to get to where we want to be, we need to build it around talents like Phil, because at his best he is a high-level player.

Will Coutinho be at Villa Park next season?

"All good teams have game-changers who the opposition are really concerned about before a ball is kicked. Phil has that status and he is giving belief to his team-mates.

"Our strikers Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings want him alongside them because he delivers on the big stage. I don't control transfer fees or wages.

"All I can do is give my opinion to [sporting director] Johan Lange, [chief executive] Christian Purslow and the owners. They are watching the games and they will make the final decision. Phil has shown what he is capable of so far."