Southampton are now prepared to make a £6 million bid for a striker who has scored 71 Premier League goals.
Southampton have primarily focused on improving their defence ahead of their return to the Premier League. Russell Martin has captured highly-rated centre-backs Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Nathan Wood and Ronnie Edwards while experienced left-back Charlie Taylor has also arrived at St Marys.
The Saints equally need to add attackers to their ranks as keeping the ball out is one thing but they crave players at the other end to take their chances.
A striker is on Martin’s shopping list, regardless of whether Che Adams leaves, with the Southampton boss needing extra firepower in the final third.
Southampton set to make £6m bid for Danny Ings
Danny Ings enjoyed a prolific three campaigns at St Mary’s before Aston Villa captured him for £25 million in the summer of 2021.
The 31-year-old scored an impressive 46 goals in 100 appearances, including 22 strikes alone in the 2019/20 Premier League season.
Reports have now linked the Saints with a return for the striker, who is currently surplus to requirements at West Ham, as Southampton line up a £6 million bid.
That is according to The Sun (page 58), who claim the South Coasters want to land the capture of Ings alongside winger Ryan Fraser from Newcastle.
Fraser spent last season on loan and the club are keen on signing him on a permanent deal after watching him score six in 39 Championship appearances.
Danny Ings would be a shrewd signing for Southampton
Southampton need to sign a proven goalscorer ahead of their return to the top flight.
Adam Armstrong – who scored 24 goals in the second tier last term – has often struggled to make the step up, netting a measly 4 goals in 68 Premier League appearances.
Adams doesn’t fare much better in that regard, scoring just 25 goals in 124 top-flight matches.
With the Scotsman seeing his contract expire and likely to join another club this summer, signing Ings would be a cheap alternative.
Whilst his career has taken a downward spiral recently, bagging just four goals in 52 appearances for West Ham after joining in 2022, a return to the South Coast could get his carer back on track.
Previously dubbed “phenomenal” for his goalscoring exploits, the three-time England international could flourish at the tip of Martin’s attack.
Ings has been notoriously clinical throughout his career, and although he’s hit a rough patch of late, you don’t score 71 Premier League goals by fluke.
He’s a dangerous striker for any defence to deal with when he finds space in the box as he’s built a reputation for his deadly finishing, the sort that could return to St Mary’s this summer.
