Aston Villa told to sign ‘strong’ Ben Mee

Aston Villa aren’t short of centre-backs with Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Calum Chambers, Kortney Hause and Boubacar Kamara, but reports suggest the Midlands outfit are trying to bring in another this summer.

Burnley’s James Tarkowski has been linked with a move to Villa Park, but the 29-year-old’s teammate is the latest one attracting Steven Gerrard’s interest – Ben Mee. Like Tarkowski, the 32-year-old is out of contract this summer, so Villa hope to capitalise on the situation.

It would be a short-termist move signing Mee, but Noel Whelan believes there’s method to the madness, telling Football Insider: “He’s just as experienced (as Tarkowski), isn’t he? He’s been so strong over a number of years, and one of Sean Dyche’s consistent, go-to performers in that time.

“He is a leader in the dressing room too. These are the sorts of players you can’t overlook, especially when they’re coming out of contract. It’s kind of a no-brainer considering the demands of the Premier League and what he would bring.”

Mee joined Burnley from Manchester City in 2012 and has gone on to make 376 appearances in all competitions, scoring 12 goals with 12 assists. The former England youth international made 24 appearances in an injury-hit final season at Burnley, captaining the side until he cracked his calf bone in March.

Burnley were relegated from the Premier League, resulting in a number of players fleeing the sinking ship this summer, so Villa boasting top-flight football in 2022/23 will be a benefit in negotiations. But with Gerrard already having Mings, Konsa, Carlos, Chambers, Hause and Kamara, does he need another centre-back?

In other news, Aston Villa ‘might be in the lead’ to sign Yves Bissouma from Brighton & Hove Abion