Arsenal tracking under-the-radar Championship prospect at Ipswich Town
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Signed from non-league Chippenham Town for just £10,000 in the summer of 2013, Tyrone Mings appears to be set for big things, potentially away from Ipswich Town, but he’s not the only bright young thing currently shining at Portman Road.
Teddy Bishop has been on the books of the Tractor Boys since the tender age of eight, a product of the club’s once famous youth academy, responsible for producing stars like Kieron Dyer and Darren Bent in the past.
Now 18, the Cambridge-born midfielder is beginning to establish himself as a first-team regular for Ipswich and it’s no coincidence that his emergence has coincided with on-the-field success for the Blues.
Operating as something of a deep-lying playmaker when required, Bishop’s finest display to date for the Suffolk club came in their 2-0 victory over pre-season Championship title favourites Middlesbrough, with the midfielder instrumental in both of Ipswich’s goals.
Bishop also netted a crucial equaliser for Town in their top-of-the-table clash with league leaders Bournemouth earlier this term.
And while it’s Mings who has already earned the tag of the “new John Terry” from certain members of the press, Bishop’s distribution and confidence on the ball could soon have some drawing comparisons with Andrea Pirlo – it worked for Jack Colback after all.
Arsenal certainly appear to be impressed, with the Gunners rumoured to be weighing up a £12m move for Bishop this week, having also been previously linked with Mings.
But with the Tractor Boys riding high in the Championship under Mick McCarthy this term, the Blues boss will be keen to keep hold of both players, meaning only a substantial bid for either is likely to result in a mid-season move.
Speaking after Ipswich’s 4-2 Boxing Day win away at Brentford, McCarthy explained that he was willing to play hardball when it came to the upcoming transfer window.
“I am not worried about any offers in January,” he said.
“If someone comes in and offers bonkers money then it will upset the apple cart and I will have to deal with it.
“We turned down £7.5m for David McGoldrick, £3.5m for Tyrone Mings. The owner Marcus [Evans] has a chunk of dough, and that is the support he gives me meaning I don’t have to sell my best players, and why would I when we are towards the top of the league?”
If Arsenal want Bishop, then they may well have to pay big to get him to the Emirates.
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