Southampton are keen on signing their former striker Danny Ings after winning promotion to the Premier League last weekend, according to talkSPORT.
Saints secured promotion after a 1-0 victory over Leeds in the Championship play-off final, and now they look to bring in reinforcements in a bid to prolong their stay in the top flight.
Ings, who played for the club from 2018 to 2021, has struggled to find his form for West Ham this season, scoring just one league goal in 390 minutes of playing time following a £15m move in 2023.
The 31-year-old – called a “phenomenal finisher” by Noel Whelan – could be looking for more playing time next season, and a move back to the south coast is on the cards, as talkSPORT suggest.
The centre-forward enjoyed a successful spell at Southampton previously, scoring 46 goals in 100 appearances in all competitions.
Ings could link up with former Saints player Adam Lallana, who is also reportedly in talks to return as the midfielder is set to leave Brighton in the upcoming transfer window.
Southampton ‘In Talks’ With Lallana
Following Southampton’s promotion to the Premier League, the club look to be targeting moves for experienced names, just as Luton did last season by signing Andros Townsend and Ross Barkley.
The Saints are currently in talks to bring back Lallana, who spent a total of 14 years at the club before leaving to join Liverpool in 2014.
He spent eight seasons in the first team, making 256 appearances for the Saints and scoring 65 goals.
After lifting the Premier League and Champions League titles with Liverpool, the 36-year-old is now looking at a possible return to where it all started.
| Adam Lallana Southampton Stats (2006-2014) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Competition | Games | Goals | Assists |
| Premier League | 68 | 12 | 11 |
| Championship | 87 | 13 | 15 |
| League One | 80 | 23 | 15 |
| FA Cup | 13 | 5 | 3 |
| EFL Cup | 12 | 5 | 1 |
In their successful bid for promotion, Russell Martin’s side relied on two centre-forwards, Adam Armstrong and Che Adams, and are now looking to bring in more proven goal threats to maintain their attacking style of play in the top flight. Southampton went down last year after scoring just 36 goals in the Premier League.
Saints will look to wrap up permanent moves for the two loan stars
According to the Daily Echo, Southampton are willing to strike permanent deals for loan stars Flynn Downes and Ryan Fraser, who were both instrumental in securing promotion to the Premier League last season.
West Ham loanee Downes is currently awaiting new Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui’s decision over his future in London.
The midfielder has enjoyed a successful spell in the Championship as he appeared in 36 matches for the Saints.
Fraser, who received praise from the Saints boss, Martin, for his ‘incredible’ contribution this season, is also rumoured to be considering a permanent move to the south coast.
In 42 league appearances for the club, the 30-year-old scored six and assisted two goals.
