Five left-sided centre backs that Aston Villa could target in summer transfer window

Aston Villa could be in the market for a new left sided centre back this summer after recent reports cast doubt on Tyrone Mings future at Villa Park.

Football Insider claims that the England international and club captain has “not completely convinced” boss Steven Gerrard despite starting all but one Premier League game under the Liverpool icon.

It’s not clear whether Gerrard would look to move on the 29-year old or simply bring in more depth to offer competition on the left side of central defence.

Either way, here are five left sided centre backs that Villa could target this summer - some that Steven Gerrard knows very well.

Filip Helander (Rangers)

Football Insider are also reporting that Rangers’ defender Filip Helander may be the prime target that Steven Gerrard will focus on to fill the position.

The Swedish international has missed a large chunk of the current season through injury but has been amongst the most consistently strong performers in the Ibrox side when fit.

He moved to Scotland in 2019, signed by Steven Gerrard, and was an integral part of the team that won the Scottish Premiership title last year.

The 28-year old, who has won 19 senior caps for the Sweden men’s team, has one year left on his contract and could be lured down south for a not so substantial fee for a player of his pedigree.

Calvin Bassey (Rangers)

Helander’s absence from the Rangers squad has allowed Calvin Bassey more regular game time in the first team and the former Leicester City youth academy player has grabbed his chance with both hands.

At just 22-years old Bassey isn’t quite the finished product that his Ibrox teammate has a lot of raw talent.

The Nigerian international is strong but deceptively fast for a player of his size and comfortable with the ball at feet.

He has two years remaining on his current deal so would command a decent fee but could very well be seen as a real investment for the future due to his young age.

Scott McKenna (Nottingham Forest)

Another player who Steven Gerrard will be familiar with from his time in Scotland but will not have many fond memories of.

McKenna was a handful playing against the current Villa bosses’ Gers while with rivals Aberdeen and has since made the move to Nottingham Forest.

The 25-year old, who has won 23 caps for the Scotland men’s national side, has been a key part of Steve Cooper’s side as they close in on confirming a spot in the play-offs this season.

A fairly modest fee of £3m, potentially rising to £6 million, was what it cost Forest to sign him in 2020 and it will cost considerably more to secure his services now with McKenna having established himself as one of the best left sided defenders in the EFL.

Levi Colwill (Chelsea)

As reported by Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Colwill is expected to be in high demand this summer after impressing during his loan spell with Huddersfield Town.

He has made 28 appearances for the Terriers this season and is still only 19-years old.

He may be one for the future rather than the now at Villa Park, and the Birmingham side might have to fend off interest from across Europe to bring him in, but he’s certainly a player with massive potential.

Alessio Romagnoli

The AC Milan skipper would certainly be a marquee signing for Villa and, better yet, could come as a free agent.

The Italian international’s deal at the San Siro expires this summer and the club have so far been unable to secure him on a new deal.

TeamTALK are reporting that Fulham are ‘laying the groundwork’ to bring the 27-year old to Craven Cottage for next season but could Villa make a list minute attempt to swoop in and snatch that deal away from the London side?