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MINGS TO COST £40M IF VILLA DROP
ELLIOT FIGHTS KILLER BUG...
ASTON VILLA are looking to double their money on Tyrone Mings if they lose their battle to stay in the Premier League. The England international defender could move on from Villa Park, should Dean Smith’s side slip back into the Championship after just one campaign in the top flight. And Villa will ask £40million – almost double what they spent to make the 27-year-old’s loan signing from Bournemouth permanent last summer.
Mings (left) has broken through into the England squad during his time with Villa and retaining a spot in Gareth Southgate’s plans will be uppermost in his thoughts.
The imposing centre-back would also be mindful of the potential wage cut of around 50 per cent that would be due, should Villa suffer relegation.
Those twin factors will be among Mings’ considerations, especially with the European Championship scheduled to take place next summer.
Southgate himself is on record as saying that he only wants to consider players appearing regularly in the top flight.
Villa must reshape to comply with the financial regulations in the Championship, after dodging that bullet getting promoted.
The sale and leaseback of Villa Park to a company run by club owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens drew criticism from rival clubs, but no official censure, with both the English Football League and the Premier League giving it the green light.
But, after a £120m transfer splurge last summer, Villa will have to trim staff to comply with EFL money rules this time.
If £80m Jack Grealish drops off Manchester United’s wish list, Mings and midfielder John Mcginn must be up for grabs.
Mcginn’s relegation price tag has already been circulated to other Premier League clubs.