Southampton legend Jason Dodd insisted it will be a ‘massive blow’ if Danny Ings and Ryan Bertrand leave for Tottenham Hotspur or Arsenal this summer, while speaking to talkSPORT (24 February, 12.30pm).
If the Saints want to keep hold of two England internationals – and we can only assume that they really do – then Ralph Hasenhuttl really could have done without a run of form more akin to a relegation candidate than a European contender.
Southampton have now lost seven of their last eight Premier League matches, with Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat at Leeds United raising fears of a potential survival battle.
With both Bertrand and Ings keen to prove themselves at the very top of the game, there is a nagging feeling that two of Southampton’s star players will opt to walk away as a promising season crumbles into dust (Goal).
“Ryan Bertrand, who I think is excellent, is out of contract (in July). Danny Ings, there’s all that speculation about whether he’s going to be staying… these are key players!” said former Saints captain Dodd.
“Ryan looks like he might be going. I would assume he’s looking to go elsewhere. And Danny is a massive blow.
“We’ve seen with the goal he scored against Wolves (a stunning volley in a 2-1 defeat last week) that he is a goal-scorer.
“He’s probably keeping Southampton where they are because, if he’s not playing, where are the goals going to come from?”
According to talkSPORT, Jose Mourinho’s Spurs are keen to bring the £20 million Ings to North London as he stalls on a new deal at St Mary’s.
Bertrand, meanwhile, is a target for an Arsenal side eager to sign a new left-back and provide competition for Kieran Tierney (Standard).
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