England striker Danny Ings looks set to end speculation over his future and hand Southampton a massive boost, with the 28-year-old close to agreeing a new long-term contract at St Mary’s. Ings has scored five goals in eight games for club and country this season and was subject to a bid from Tottenham during the recent transfer window. But Southampton had no wish to sell their key player, with manager Ralph Hasenhuttl stating that Ings had “zero interest” in leaving the south coast. That left Saints optimistic they would achieve the desired outcome and they are now increasingly confident the former Burnley and Liverpool forward will extend a three-year deal he signed in 2019. Talks continue over details such as the duration of the fresh terms and a possible release clause. Ings has flourished since his loan move from Liverpool was made permanent. He registered 22 Premier League goals last season — one shy of Golden Boot winner Jamie Vardy — and has started the new campaign where he left off. Ings has already found the net four times in five league outings, including Saturday’s dramatic 3-3 draw at Chelsea. He has also been named in Gareth Southgate’s last two England squads, scoring his first international goal with an acrobatic overhead kick in a 3-0 victory over Wales at Wembley.
So long as it’s set high enough, it’s not a bad idea. I wonder if it might be a change in strategy. ‘If you want them, this is the fee. There’s no negotiation to haggle down. Just pay the money.’
Yeah, it does depend on what the fee actually is. A fair few clubs, particularly abroad where release clauses are more common or even mandatory, have used that strategy. Didn't Arsenal get that treatment when trying to negotiate for Partey?
Looks like it's the same as SRL, we are getting the peak years of his career. I wonder who will be considered the bigger legend by the time he leaves the club?. I've a feeling that Danny might just edge out Rickie in an best Saints XI already but not for what he's achieved for the club....yet.
This would be superb news. Obviously his finishing ability is well documented but it's his ability to find that pocket of space that makes him such a good player.
Him and Che the new Adam and Rickie?...the partnership is really starting to benefit from minutes together on the pitch.
Our first two goals on Saturday encapsulated this I thought. As soon as Che got the ball off Havertz he knew where Danny would be running and put the ball in exactly the right place. Then when Che burst past Kepa, at first Danny wanted the ball but in the end instinctively trusted Che to finish it. This partnership is developing very nicely indeed. I know questions have been asked about Che’s chance conversion statistics, but this will improve. It’s not as though we haven’t seen our strikers struggle to put the ball away in the past, only to come through in the end. Remember when Pellè seemed to hit the woodwork several times a match? Then again, at least the chances are being created. Somebody on the TSP podcast said that Theo created 5 chances in that game, more than any other player in this round of PL games. It’s all looking very rosy at the moment!
If we keep Ings it’ll be like Christmas for me. As someone else has said, it isn’t just his goals. When we played at Anfield last season the universal liking for him among fans and players was tangible. So a decent human being, and clearly a bright one who hasn’t galloped into an agreement but come to a considered position it would seem. Well done, SFC. This quality of player really shows ambition. Haven’t said that often in the past 60 years!
Might edge out Rickie!....be great for Saints if Ings did, but I still came over all faint and needed a gin to revive me. Edge out Rickie
On ability only Fran, I love Rickie and he is the most important player for us in the past 20 years without question.
Moot point....wouldn't be in a position to lose our place in the EPL if Rickie hadn't played a major part in getting us there.
Although in hindsight we could have drawn that game and still stayed up, so in comparison with Rickie’s 117 goals, I think not.