Newcastle United are reportedly lining up a January move for Aston Villa and England defender Tyrone Mings as new manager Eddie Howe eyes a reunion.
According to a report from Marca, Newcastle United are interested in making a swoop for Aston Villa defensive mainstay Tyrone Mings in the January transfer window as they brace for a battle for survival in the Premier League.
A product of the Southampton academy, Mings has had to work his way up from the lower rungs of English football. He had stints with Bristol Rovers, Yate Town, Chippenham Town and Ipswich Town before he found his footing at Bournemouth under Eddie Howe. The 28-year-old spent over three years with the Cherries before making the jump to Aston Villa in January 2019.
Having joined on loan initially, Mings was signed permanently by the Villans in the following summer. He has been a mainstay at the back for the Midlands outfit ever since, even being named the club captain following Jack Grealish’s departure in the summer. To date, the 28-year-old has made 101 appearances for Villa. On the back of his displays for the club, he has become a regular in the England national team.
Indeed, Mings has collected 15 international caps since his debut for the Three Lions in October 2019. A no-nonsense defender who is also good with the ball at his feet and has considerable experience in the Premier League, the centre-back has now emerged as a transfer target for Newcastle United heading into the mid-season trading period.
Newcastle find themselves in a pickle in the Premier League, as they currently sit second from bottom and are genuine contenders for relegation. Following their big-money takeover last month, their new owners are ready to splash the cash in January to bring in players who can stave off the threat of the drop and lift them towards the top half of the table.
Defence is a key area that needs strengthening, considering the Magpies have one of the worst defensive records in the Premier League this season. As a result, various centre-halves have been linked with a move to St. James’ Park in recent weeks, with Burnley’s James Tarkowski on the club’s radar, along with forgotten Manchester United defender Phil Jones.
Mings, too, has emerged as a possible target for the Tyneside giants as they look to reunite the 28-year-old with Howe, who was recently named the new manager of the club. The England international still has over two years left on his contract meaning Aston Villa are under no pressure to sell. But if Newcastle present them with a large offer, they could be tempted into cashing in on the imposing defender.