Darren Bent has told the Football Show on Sky Sports (20/01/21) that Jurgen Klopp was ‘disappointed’ when Tottenham-linked Danny Ings left Liverpool.
But the former striker ‘fully understands’ why the seven-goal Premier League speedster wants to play Champions League football again.
Eurosport have recently claimed that Spurs are keen on adding Southampton’s hitman to their ranks for the 2021 summer transfer window.
It’s been nearly two years since Ings left Liverpool for Southampton in a £20 million deal (BBC Sport) and he hasn’t looked back since because he is now one of the most feared forwards in the division.
Bent backed the England international to take that step up and show that he can produce the goods against the elite.
“I think Jurgen Klopp was disappointed when he left,” said Bent. “But, unfortunately, he couldn’t stay fit. It was a fitness issue in why he ended up leaving.
“But he has shown in the last couple of seasons how good he can be. Of course, every player wants to play at the highest level and the Champions League is the summit. I fully understand.
“Danny Ings just gives you that something different – He is probably thinking ‘you know what, I am getting on in age now and I want to play in the Champions League’.
“I think he’s good enough certainly to play in that competition. It’s just where does he go to play week in and week out?”
Ings is now a ready-made player so if he does leave St Mary’s then he has to slot straight into that team’s starting XI.
That’s not the case with Spurs because they have Harry Kane on their books, but with the England captain channelling his Kevin de Bruyne this season, he can certainly play as a number 10, whilst Ings plays up top.
Tottenham fans have always cried out for depth and a deal such as this would take them to the next level.
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