Eddie Howe says it was ‘a real shame’ to see Tyrone Mings quit Bournemouth for Aston Villa earlier this summer.
Mings’ permanent switch to Villa finally went through earlier this month after weeks of negotiations as the two clubs haggled over a fee. Villa eventually agreed to pay Bournemouth an initial £20million for the 26-year-old centre-back and he’s set to play a key role for Dean Smith in the Premier League this season.
The Cherries signed Mings for just £8million from Ipswich Town four years ago but injuries halted his progress on the south coast.
And Howe, who signed off Mings’ move to Villa Park, didn’t want the defender to move on.
"For us, it was a real shame, we love Tyrone, signed him and he got a couple of long-term injuries which set him back," Howe told Sky Sports News. "The form of Nathan Ake as well played a part in him not appearing as much as he would have wanted to.
"Then he wanted to further his career. He goes with our best wishes. We wish him well and he's a great player."