Arsenal look set to start off their January transfer window with a deal for Ipswich Town's Tyrone Mings. The twenty-one-year-old plays as a left-back for the high-flying Tractor Boys, but due to his 6ft 3in stature, Arsene Wenger reportedly sees Mings as a future centre-back.
It comes as no surprise that Wenger is targeting a central defender in January. Laurent Koscielny has missed much of the 2014/15 season due to injury and has often resulted in full-back, Nacho Monreal, filling in at the heart of Arsenal's defence. Monreal's ability as a centre-back has been questioned this season, with Arsenal suffering calamitous defensive performances on a number of occasions, including the 3-3 draw against Anderlecht in the Champions League and the 2-1 defeat at Swansea, within just five days of one another.
As per The Telegraph, Ipswich will sell Mings, should Arsenal match their £8 million asking price. Many clubs would baulk at paying such an extortionate price for a relatively unproven player, with Arsenal being the exception. A growing core of young, English players means it would make sense for Wenger to sign the defender, who spent his youth career at Southampton.
The fact that Mings came through the ranks of Southampton holds a hidden importance. He was part of academy teams that included Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers - the latter being the most vital. Maintaining his good relationship with Chambers will be crucial if the pair are to form a solid centre-back pairing in the future for Arsenal.
Due to Arsene's reluctance to spend big in January, coupled with the need for midfield reinforcements, Tyrone Mings seems a very likely target for the Gunners this coming transfer window.