Man Utd, City dreams fade as reporter reveals standstill over star's future (original) (raw)

There have been no enquiries at all for the services of Southampton striker Danny Ings yet this summer, it is claimed, but he is still hoping for a move to either Manchester club.

Ings is now in the final 12 months of his contract with Southampton, where he has got his career back on track following an injury-plagued spell with Liverpool. Now, he is keen to test himself at the higher level again. Tottenham have been heavily linked in particular; they want him to form a partnership with Harry Kane.

However, there are doubts over how much Ings would want such a move. Indeed, talkSPORT claim he is still holding out for either Manchester United or Manchester City to come in for him.

At present, though, Southampton are yet to hear from anyone in relation to a transfer for Ings.

Reporter Alex Crook told the radio station, when asked if Ings wants a move: “If a big team comes in for him and that hasn’t happened. I should stress that there hasn’t been a single enquiry.

“He’s got his sights set on Manchester United or Man City; I’m not sure either of those clubs are going to start banging on the door.”

Crook also cast doubt on the idea of him accepting a move to Tottenham, or another London side in West Ham, despite their need for a striker.

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It seems Ings’ future is all still to play for. But he may have to re-adjust his focus if his preferred takers continue to show little interest.

Both Manchester clubs have been linked with strikers this summer, but Ings may not be among their options. United have secured the services of Edinson Cavani for another season, anyway, so a new centre-forward is not an immediate priority, even if it would be useful for the future.

City, on the other hand, have waved goodbye to Sergio Aguero and now have a space to fill. Last season, though, they sometimes used a system with a false nine, so may continue with such a theme.

With neither looking likely to make a move for Ings, the England striker must now evaluate what his other options are. That could be staying at Southampton or moving elsewhere.

Hasenhuttl sends message over Ings future

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl recently admitted that Ings’ situation was not ideal for the club, but he wants him to stay.

“He has one more year left in our club; we need this player, we want him to play for us,” he told BBC Radio Solent. “But it’s never helpful to go into a season with only one year left and I think he should also know.

“Messages like ‘he doesn’t want to sign a contract’ doesn’t help anybody, doesn’t help him or us. I don’t know who said these messages to be honest; it’s not coming from our side, definitely not.

“We have no interest to blame the player or find him not feeling good here, not helping him to perform the best he can for us. It’s his decision but anyway he is our player for another year. We paid a lot of money for him when we brought him here.

“He has his people around him telling him what to do; we have our opinions of what we want him to do. He’s our player and we’d love him to be here.

“One thing is clear, that it is not a perfect situation.”