Aston Villa star Tyrone Mings has a 'big summer' ahead of him and there are 'question marks' over his Villa Park future after gaining interest from Premier League rivals Newcastle United, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

Mings joined the Midlands club in a deal worth up to £26.5million following a loan spell from Bournemouth, but there are doubts over whether he will still be with his current employers by the time next season gets underway.

What's the latest news involving Mings?

Mings was handed the captaincy by then-Villa boss Dean Smith following Jack Grealish's record-breaking move to Manchester City last year.

But Steven Gerrard, who was appointed as Smith's successor in November, has admitted the central defender may not retain the armband next term.

In fact, there is a possibility that Mings will not even be at the club despite having a contract, worth £80,000-per-week, which still has more than two years to run.

That is because, according to the Mirror, the 29-year-old has emerged as a £35million transfer target for Newcastle.

The report suggests Gerrard could be persuaded to offload the 17-cap England international, who was left out of the Three Lions' latest squad.

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What has Pete O'Rourke said about Mings?

O'Rourke believes Mings could be entering a career-defining summer transfer window after catching the eye of Newcastle.

The journalist feels Gerrard may opt to move the centre-half on if he brings in further defensive reinforcements.

O'Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: "It's going to be a big summer for Tyrone Mings. He's had his ups and downs this season and just been left out of the England squad as well. It's not great timing for Tyrone Mings, at the end of the season, to miss out on England.

"I still think he has got a part to play for Steven Gerrard going forward, but things can change if Villa were to bring in a couple of defensive signings. That would definitely raise question marks over his long-term future."

Could Villa's transfer business have an impact on Mings' future?

While the permanent signing of Philippe Coutinho and acquisition of Boubacar Kamara will not necessarily hamper Mings' opportunities, Diego Carlos could.

Villa reached an agreement with Sevilla for the transfer of the Brazilian defender on Thursday.

The Midlands club forked out £26million in order to seal his arrival and, should Gerrard succeed in luring another centre-half to Villa Park, that could result in Mings becoming a peripheral figure.