Saints are interested in signing Bournemouth’s Tyrone Mings, according to a report in the Daily Mirror.

Mings is currently on loan to Championship side Aston Villa until the end of the season after struggling for game time at the Cherries.

He came up through the ranks at Saints, spending eight-years with the club, before leaving for Bristol Rovers in 2009.

The report suggests that Villa doesn’t have the option to sign him permanently but do have the opportunity to match any bid that is made.

And Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is said to be tracking the defender’s progress.

Mings has made nine appearances for Aston Villa since his January arrival which has resulted in four wins, two draws and two defeats.

The 26-year-old’s contract at Bournemouth doesn’t run out until 2022, so there is still a chance he could revive his career at the Vitality Stadium.

Villa boss Dean Smith hailed the impact Mings has had on his squad.

He said: He said: "He's a Premier League player playing in the Championship.

"I had no doubt that he would do well for us and I wasn't concerned about his lack of games because I knew the injury problems were behind him.

"He's made a big impact both on and off the pitch for us."