Southampton striker Danny Ings deserves the chance to prove himself at the very highest level amid interest from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, former teammate Lee Grant told talkSPORT (23 March, 9:00am).
With Sergio Aguero’s contract expiring in July, the England international could soon be tasked with replacing one of the finest footballers of the Premier League era; a living legend who has scored more goals than any other player in City’s 141-year history.
No pressure, then.
According to Sky, the Premier League leaders have identified Ings as an affordable alternative to Erling Haaland and Harry Kane as they prepare for life without their veteran Argentine.
The Southampton talisman’s contract expires in 2022 and, with talks hitting an impasse, the chance to prove himself on the biggest of stages may be an opportunity too good to turn down.
“(Man City) would be a wonderful move for Danny. He’s proven that he’s got the ability to play at the highest level. I wouldn’t be a surprise to see other clubs in for him with his contract situation how it is currently,” said Grant, who played alongside a young Ings at Burnley.
“Undoubtedly (he could score at the highest level). If you look at his back catalogue of goals, he’s proven to score such a wide variety.
“And how he brings other players into the game with his assists, that’s the type of forward play we see from those real elite-level strikers.”
Blessed with supreme technical ability, a relentless work ethic and the ability to create chances as well as finish them off, Ings has scored 42 goals in 92 games since joining Southampton from Liverpool in a £20 million deal.
Grant believes there is still a chance that his former teammate could stay at St Mary’s and repay the faith Southampton showed in him when they picked the injury-hit striker off the Anfield treatment table.
“One thing I’d say about Danny is that he is what you would class as an absolute diamond guy; a tremendous human being.
“Southampton, the way they’ve treated him, the trust they’ve shown in him after his injury record at Liverpool, will be weighing on his mind.
“But it’s going to be difficult for him to turn away those types of suitors.”
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