Aston Villa have joined Championship rivals West Bromwich Albion in the hunt for Bournemouth defender Tyrone Mings, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper report that the Villans are interested in bringing the 25-year-old to Birmingham on a loan deal this month, with Mings struggling for minutes so far this term.
The Mail claim that Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is currently against the idea of the 6’5″ colossus [Transfermarkt] leaving this month, but a deal could happen if the Cherries sign Chris Mepham from Brentford in a £13million-plus deal.
Good move for Aston Villa?
Yes, absolutely.
Mings is a talented player who has had his progress and development limited in recent years by a string of unlucky injuries, and a move to the Championship with Villa would be a good move for all parties.
The 25-year-old can provide Villa boss Dean Smith with cover at both centre-back and left-back, and that is key with the club having struggled in both positions so far this term.
A loan deal until the end of the season is a no-brainer, and beating rivals West Brom to the punch would make it that much sweeter.
This is Futbol rating: 9/10
Likely to happen?
This deal will hinge on whether Bournemouth manage to seal that £13million deal for Mepham, something which is looking more and more likely to happen.
If that does take place, then it will be down to Villa to blow West Brom out the water with an offer for Mings, who will have a big decision to make.
This is Futbol rating: 5/10