Of course but if the agent is asking for a release clause of something stupid like £20m then you can see why we wouldn't agree. Definitely makes sense to have a release clause but finding a number that works for all is the hard part - I'd say from Saints perspective there is no point unless it is £40m as we could likely get £30m even with 1 year left.
I think that would be Ralph’s preferred option as it wasn’t too long ago that he spoke about Timo Werner signing a new contract with RB Leipzig, before agreeing his move to Chelsea, to ensure the club got a fair price for him. As a Saints fan, you would hope that Ings would be up for doing the same, but as others have said, it will come down to what he thinks is fair.
This is all so disappointing. I initially thought / hoped the delay / lack of info was just behind the scenes negotiations but quite obvious now we’re at some sort of stalemate. Been here before haven’t we!? Think he’s gone now & only question is who (who really cares) & £? I said a few pages ago, £30M tops. Not even sure if that’s possible; probably £25M and we certainly won’t be in control of any of the proceedings. Edit: FCUK!!!
Dear Danny. Stay and become one of our legends. We'll love you forever like we love Matt and Rickie (and many others). Leave and become a back-up striker at a bigger club, mostly forgotten.
Problem is, I'm not sure he'd be that worried about being a club legend. He's a fan and has had a good few seasons here already, so he's probably fulfilled part of his childhood dream. But now he could leave, earn a lot more money, play in Europe and still keep the good memories of his time here.
Just agree a £40m release clause for a CL club (unless his agent is being a dick and refusing everything). He is definitely off this summer for less, unless a new deal is signed anyway might as well try and recoup as much as possible. Thought the deal we agreed with him at the time felt pretty short.
This could all become a bit disruptive. Ralph looks knackered at the moment. Presumably because of the recent hectic schedule, but also the injuries and all the Covid procedures/impact. He looks like he's feeling the pressure a bit, and who can blame him. Having this contract situation hanging over the club isn't going to help. There will be questions and speculation about Ings in every pre and post-match interview until it's resolved. Ings seems a fairly reasonable and grounded bloke, but he's going to do what's best for him, not necessarily the club. He doesn't sign the release clause and can leave in the summer if a big team comes in for him He does sign the release clause but can leave in the summer if a big team comes in for him Both scenarios are a bit unhelpful for the club - when would we actually know if he's staying or not? A club could trigger his release clause on deadline day and leave us right in the ****. We could have an expiry date on it as a safeguard - but would Ings agree to that? With my pessimistic hat on, this is going to drag on for some time. Hope I'm wrong
This has probably been planned for quite a while, Danny sold his house recently( possibly knowing he was on the move) up country. Why keep two houses locally?
Main takeaways from that: - Too many places reporting the release clause being the sticking point for it to not be true imo. - He ain't going to Leicester. - We'd ideally like to not do business with Spuds - We'd rather him go free than accept a **** offer which is good imo.
Reading through that Athletic article, and apart from a couple of quoted sentences from Ralph, it was just more of the same "What do we know so far" bollocks that seems to be the modern journalistic approach. There's no information in there that points to anything, just possible outcomes that anyone with a functioning brain can already guess for themselves. It's just a lot of padding around a couple of brief statements that Ralph made when asked about the contract situation. My take on it is that if Danny Ings now feels that he wants to play for one of the Champions League teams and strut his stuff on the so called big stage, then the very best thing for Saints and him is if he does just that. We have to remember that he has had one full 'hot' season with us, and a crap load of time out injured, and that is where the negotiations are likely to be trying to find common ground. Saints probably don't want to offer a 4 year contract because of possible injury issues, and maybe that long term security is what Danny is looking for. One way or another it will work itself out and Danny Ings will either end up a hero here or money chasing glory hunter elsewhere. Let's not forget that these footballers earn immense sums of money and if they are not happy with what they earn at Southampton FC then do we really want them here? We will never see the likes of James Ward Prowse putting money over club loyalty and I hope that Danny is the same. I'm sure he recognises that he has a brilliant future here and the respect and adoration of the fans. I still reckon he will sign a new contract, but what do I know. I think I just did an Athletic.....lots of talk based on absolutely nothing
Dan Sheldon said the other day that he knows wages are not the issue - to which some us rightly concluded that he must know what is the issue... it appears he did and now so does everyone else.
Not sure I'd say a crap load of injuries tbh. Had a couple this season (One was our fault for rushing him back) but other than that he's played plenty of matches. As for 'money over club loyalty' that's the way all players are these days. Don't expect James will be any different should a big club come in. Anyway, I'll still love him if he goes. 2 goals at the Fratton end means he'll always be king of the Scummers to me.
It used to be “I want to leave” because I want international football. Now it’s CL,as what’s already been said he will spend more time on their bench for the privilege. I can’t see him playing in the latter parts of the CL if the team he went to got that far( unless Kane was injured) Big gamble for me, got all the money he needs, but willing to play less. Similarly a GK whom leaves a club playing regularly to then sit on the bench at a “ bigger club”. Fair play Danny, good luck with your next venture.
With Man Utd mentioned I wonder if they will make an enquiry? With Rashford, Greenwood, Martial and Cavani , how much of a opportunity would he get?
If the club can’t convince him that our ambitions match his, then he has every right to want to leave and join a club that can.
Start the dodgy knees rumour. As we've seen in politics a lie repeated often enough becomes the truth.