Newcastle United are interested in a deal to bring Tyrone Mings to St. James' Park in the January transfer window.

What's the talk?

That's according to a report by Spanish publication Marca, who claim that the Aston Villa centre-back is one of the names on PIF's shortlist of Newcastle transfer targets ahead of the winter market.

The report goes on to state that, while Eddie Howe did not afford the 28-year-old much game time when both men were at AFC Bournemouth, Mings' development into a "defensive leader" at Villa Park could see Howe offer the England international the chance to work together once more at St. James' Park.

He'd solve Howe's biggest issue

Considering the fact that Newcastle have already shipped 24 goals over their opening 11 fixtures of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign, it is evident that, if Howe has any chance of keeping the Magpies in the top flight come next May, defence is an area in which he must strengthen in January.

And, while Aston Villa have not exactly been rock solid at the back so far this season, having conceded 20 goals over their own 11 league fixtures, Mings would nevertheless be a signing who could help to solve Howe's biggest issue at Newcastle.

Indeed, over his 36 Premier League appearances for Villa last time out, the £27m-rated man helped his side keep 14 clean sheets - double the amount Newcastle managed last season - as well as making an average of 1.1 interceptions, 0.9 tackles, 4.7 clearances and winning 4.1 duels per game.

These returns saw the player who Gareth Southgate dubbed an "outstanding" defender earn a seasonal SofaScore rating of 6.95, ranking him as Villa's joint ninth-best performer in the top flight.

As such, as long as the £67k-per-week Mings can refind this level of form after his potential switch to Newcastle, the 28-year-old could well be the man to solve Howe's defensive crisis at St. James' Park.

In other news: Howe must make "perfect" £120k-p/w dynamo his first NUFC signing, he'd love it at SJP