Frank Lampard has revealed that he looked into signing Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings when he became available in January.
The 6’4″ colossus [Transfermarkt] joined the Villans on loan from Bournemouth in January, but Lampard has admitted that he had the 26-year-old on his radar as well.
As quoted in the Birmingham Mail, he said: “We looked at him but it was nowhere near a deal we could do.
“He’s had a big influence for them.”
OPINION
It doesn’t even bear thinking about where Aston Villa might have been in the second half of this season without Mings. The defender has had a transformative effect on things at Villa Park, and has shored up the Villans’ backline to great effect. His commanding presence and domineering physicality makes him a serious issue for any forward, but it is his reading of the game that really sets him apart. His organisational skills have been second to none this season, and he is easily one of the most crucial members of Villa’s side. The big question now is whether or not they can keep him for next term. You would assume that will be largely decided by which division they end up playing their football, but if Mings can help them return to the Premier League, fully expect the club to go all out to make him theirs permanently.