Everton look set to miss out on a player Frank Lampard labels ‘fantastic’ as Premier League rivals West Ham United close in on the Aston Villa frontman, speaking to the Liverpool Echo.
The consensus may be that Danny Ings’ 18 month spell at Villa Park has been something of a disappointment but the numbers speak for themselves. In just eight Premier League starts this season, the England international has six goals; one of which rescued a point for Unai Emery’s side against local rivals Wolves recently.
Emery admitted after that hard-fought 1-1 draw that he was hoping to see Ings stay in the Midlands. So one suspects the Spaniard will be disappointed to see Villa’s top scorer pack his bags and head for the capital.
According to The Telegraph, West Ham have agreed a deal rising to £12 million. Relegation rivals Everton were another side hot on Ings’ heels but, in a twist of fate, the former Southampton talisman could now make his Hammers debut against the Toffees in Saturday’s proverbial ‘six pointer’ at Goodison Park.
West Ham United beat Everton to Aston Villa striker Danny Ings
“He is a fantastic striker,” Lampard said during his Thursday press conference. “A really good striker. I’ve always had a lot of admiration for Danny, as a player and a lad. I don’t know him that well, but he seems like a real team lad,” Lampard said.
“He is someone we will have to be very aware of because he is a top striker.”
According to the Daily Mail, Everton tried and failed to land Ings on loan at the start of January. Aston Villa were only willing to consider permanent bids. Another indication of the shackles Lampard is working under at Goodison Park; the former Chelsea boss paying the price for so many years of heavy and reckless spending on the blue half of Merseyside.
“We absolutely want to help the squad and make it stronger,” Lampard adds. “I’m aware everyone’s trying to do the same thing and teams around us are. We know we need more competition; maybe a more clinical nature about us. That’s a reality we have to understand.”
Ings, of course, would certainly have helped add a ‘clinical’ streak to an Everton side with just 15 goals in 19 games. The one-time Liverpool forward, funnily enough, is joining his third claret-and-blue club; arriving at West Ham after spells at Aston Villa and Burnley.
Watch out for Ings’ unveiling at Scunthorpe United in 2028 then…
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