Everton enter race to sign Saints star
Although Everton look very unlikely to sign any new players in this transfer window, the Toffees are being linked with a move for the wantaway Southampton striker Danny Ings.
Ings has so far refused to sign a new contract with the south coast club and seems determined to leave St Mary’s this summer for a club competing at the top end of the Premier League – might that club be Everton?
One thing’s for sure it would be good for the Blues not to have to face the ex-Burnley and Liverpool striker as he has a nasty habit of scoring against them!
If the England forward does decide he wants to move on, then a return to Merseyside could well be on the cards for him, according to this report.
Everton are one of several Premier League clubs who it’s claimed would be interested in the 28-year-old and for good reasons too.
More from Prince Rupert's Tower
- Everton 0 Arsenal 1: Blues fall to third home defeat
- Further chaos in Everton takeover as other lenders not keen on 777 Partners
- Everton need repeat of Arsenal win to kick-start their season on Sunday
- More madness at Everton as Moshiri now agrees to sell club to 777 Partners
- Everton takeover talk cools after UK govt doubts and further questions
Ings is perhaps the most underrated striker in the game and netted 22 times last season, including his seemingly obligatory goal against Everton back in July.
He has continued that fine form again this season and already has seven goals in twelve Premier League starts so far for the Saints.
Ings is a striker with pace, excellent movement and is an instinctive and superb finisher. So a player with those qualities would no doubt strengthen the Toffees attack and add another genuine and top quality goal threat. He’s also good defensively and puts in plenty of work in that area too.
Of course he played alongside his potential new team-mate when he lined up with Dominic Calvert-Lewin as the Blues striker made his international debut against Wales in a friendly last year. Both of course scored too.
However, I think that Everton will and should look for a different type of forward. They are likely to be focused on one who can play wide or through the middle and therefore can fill in for all three of the team’s attackers.
One other club mentioned as a possible destination for Ings is Leicester City and with his qualities he would seem like a perfect replacement for Jamie Vardy at the midlands club.
I doubt there is anything in this story and I would be surprised if the Blues do move for Ings in the summer. He would also probably cost a fair amount given his ability, proven goal-scoring record and the fact the Saints will want some serious compensation for losing him.
If Everton do seek to strengthen their attacking options a better bet would probably be a more versatile player like Leon Bailey or perhaps Wilfried Zaha if he’s available at a much-reduced price.