Exclusive – Leicester and Everton have joined the race for Southampton striker Danny Ings, who is yet to commit his long-term future for the club.
Ings saw a dream move to Liverpool ruined by long-term knee injuries and left Anfield, initially on loan, in 2018 as Jurgen Klopp began to bring success back to the club.
The former Burnley star has since rediscovered his best form at Southampton and scored 22 Premier League goals last season, beaten only at the Golden Boot by Leicester’s Jamie Vardy.
Ings is currently resisting attempts by Southampton to secure its long-term future and 90 mins has learned that he has so far refused to sign a proposed four-year contract at St Mary’s.
His current deal has entered its final 18 months, leaving the Saints vulnerable to potential offers despite the impact of the coronavirus on the club’s finances.
The 28-year-old believes he has the ability to play for a tough club for a Champions League spot, and while Southampton are on course for a first-half high since 2016/17, he’s unlikely May Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team have had enough. in the tank to move forward and match Ings’ four most important ambitions.
Leicester and Everton, on the other hand, have shown they can realistically challenge the Premier League’s elite. Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes are currently third in the table, just two points off the top, while Everton are just two points off the top four and have at least one game in hand on either side currently above them. them.
Tottenham are another club watching out for Ings, who have every chance of being selected by Gareth Southgate for the England European Championship squad this summer.
If Southampton cannot persuade him to sign a contract, they could ultimately be forced to let Ings go this summer lest he leave the club as a free agent in 2022.
However, they won’t want to let him go this month, as they still hope to convince Ings that his long-term future rests on the South Coast.
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