Newcastle United could be on the hunt for a centre-back this summer as Federico Fernandez and Ciaran Clark are expected to leave when their respective contracts expire in the coming weeks, but the Magpies might have some trouble signing Tyrone Mings as their preferred replacement.
David Armitage of the Mirror says Newcastle have made the 29-year-old a priority. Eddie Howe reportedly deems Mings as the final jigsaw piece in the puzzle, but Villa aren’t going to let him go. Steven Gerrard regards Mings as an important player, so he isn’t going to accept a £35m bid that Newcastle are preparing.
Mings has made 127 appearances in all competitions since joining the Midlands outfit on a five-year deal from Bournemouth, scoring seven goals with seven assists. The England international has been a regular at Villa, missing only nine Premier League games in the last three seasons, so he’s indispensable.
With 82/127 aerial duels won, 29 blocked shots, 143 clearances and a tackle (23) or interception (44) every 47 minutes, it’s easy to see why Newcastle would be keen on Mings. He’s only been dribbled past seven times too, but Newcastle are barking up the wrong tree trying to sign him.
Villa don’t regard Mings as expendable, he’s too difficult to replace and is an important player to Gerrard.
In other news, Steven Gerrard won’t sell John McGinn to Tottenham
