Aston Villa have set their asking price to sell Danny Ings in the January transfer market. The forward is a target for Premier League and relegation rivals Everton and West Ham United.
That is according to Dean Jones, who reports the Villans are determined to earn a large fee for Ings’s transfer. The Birmingham team will point to the striker’s heaps of experience and proven goalscoring record in the top-flight. Even if he is not boss Unai Emery’s first choice.
Dean Smith also paid Southampton an initial £25m, rising up to £30m, to sign Ings in 2021 from Southampton. The 30-year-old had entered the final year of his contract at St Mary’s, as well. So, the Villans would now tell any suitors to stump up offers of no less than £20m.
Ings is under contract at Villa Park until June 2024, so Aston Villa are under no urgent need to sell. But he has started just one Premier League game from a potential five fixtures since Emery replaced Steven Gerrard. The forward has scored three goals in those appearances.
Emery also started Ings as Aston Villa lost at Manchester United in the Carabao Cup and at home to Stevenage in the FA Cup. He even gave the attacker the captain’s armband for the visit of League Two Stevenage last Sunday. While Morgan Sanson scored from Ings’ assist.
West Ham are rivalling Everton for the transfer of Aston Villa striker Danny Ings
Sanson’s goal against Stevenage marked Ings’ second assist in 20 appearances across all competitions so far this term. He has also scored seven goals with six in 17 Premier League games. The striker has hit a career top-flight haul of 68 goals and 19 assists in 187 games.
Everton and West Ham appreciate what Ings has shown in the Premier League, so are now considering his transfer from Aston Villa. The Daily Mail claims that AFC Bournemouth, the Irons and Southampton are also exploring deals after Villa rejected the Toffees’ loan offer.
The four clubs feel Ings could help their chances of securing survival amid a relegation fight this term. But Everton could only afford to seek a temporary move and Aston Villa are only open to his permanent transfer. Toffees director of football Kevin Thelwell leads their pursuit.
Everton have not given up on Ings’ transfer from Aston Villa this January, though. The Sun reports that Goodison Park chiefs are still studying a permanent move. But they face a rival approach from Crystal Palace with the Eagles ready to enter the race if a deal is achievable.
Danny Ings could prove very helpful to the teams fighting to avoid relegation
Given Ings has scored six goals from 760 minutes of Premier League football this season, a move may prove helpful. Crystal Palace sit 12th in the table on 22 points but Bournemouth are 16th on 16 ahead of West Ham (15), Everton (15), Wolves (14) and Southampton (12).
Aston Villa right-back Matty Cash has also been effusive with praise for what Ings gives the Villans. The Poland international said in November, via quotes by the Express & Star: “He is one of the smartest players I have played with. His record speaks for itself.
“He’s scored goals at the highest level. Any striker needs goals and he got them [a match-winning brace] at Brighton. His movement in front of [the] goal is brilliant. He knows when to run and when to get in the middle of the goal.
“That is why he has scored so many goals in his career. Any striker needs to watch him and his movement because he is brilliant.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
