West Ham United consider bid to sign Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings
West Ham United are considering making a move for Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings, according to Dean Jones via Give Me Sport.
The England international was stripped of the captaincy at Villa Park over the summer by manager Steven Gerrard, who chose John McGinn to replace him, and his relationship with the boss is fractious.
David Moyes is equally on the lookout for a defender and the 29-year-old could fit the bill given Gerrard labelled him “fantastic” after coming into the side to beat Everton at the weekend [talkSPORT].
“Tyrone Mings is one that hasn’t really been mentioned but is an obvious fit for what they’re looking for,” Jones said.
“They’re not looking for a first-choice defender, they’re looking for someone that can fight to be part of that team. You could say, ‘Tyrone Mings is struggling with that battle himself for Aston Villa. Why would he get it at West Ham?’
“But it might just be that he needs a new club. He is one that West Ham are aware of and of thinking about, but we’ll have to see whether it actually turns into anything active.”
Could do worse
If the Villans are willing to negotiate a reasonable deal for all parties, then West Ham could do a lot worse than signing Mings for two or three seasons while he is at his peak.
He would bring plenty of international experience and a left-footed option at the back which has become something a lot of managers crave as the playing out from the back craze sweeps football.
But more than any of that, he has a leadership quality that the Hammers are lacking now with Mark Noble retiring at the end of last season and while Declan Rice is a good replacement, Moyes could do with that extra voice in the dressing room.
You wouldn’t feel nervous that a mistake is around the corner with Mings either like you could be with Kurt Zouma or the recently departed Issa Diop.
A flashy purchase this is not but perhaps Mings is the best option for West Ham right now if a good deal can be agreed upon.