- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
West Ham United are keen to sell forward Danny Ings in January, but his extortionate wages are proving to be a major stumbling block.
HITC Football understands that the Hammers want to bring in a new forward in January, but must shift Danny Ings first before a replacement can be bought.
Ings is believed to be West Ham’s highest paid player on nearly £150,000-per-week and his deal runs until 2026.
There is interest from Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Burnley, but due to his wages, a short-term loan might now be the best option with the majority of his salary covered.
West Ham struggling to sell Ings
The move to sign Danny Ings from Aston Villa 12 months ago has not worked out for either party.
The 31-year-old was competing for minutes with Ollie Watkins and when Unai Emery decided the England international was his first-choice forward, Ings was allowed to depart.
West Ham pounced after their move to sign Gianluca Scamacca backfired and Michail Antonio’s fitness was a concern with the team fighting on both fronts.
However, Ings has made just eight league starts since his move to the London Stadium scoring twice while Antonio remained first choice in the Conference League too.
Emery’s decision looks to have paid off with Watkins arguably having the best season of his career, while West Ham struggle to sell Ings after just a year at the club.
Ings not the only man Hammers could move on in January
As well as Ings, HITC Football also understands that Michail Antonio and Said Benrahma could be available this month.
The Hammers are looking for attacking options but won’t move for a striker unless Antonio departs.
That’s looking increasingly unlikely as he’s currently unavailable due to a knee injury that has ruled him out since the end of November.
Benrahma was signed for £20m by the Hammers but he too is a player that West Ham will consider approaches for so they can sign a versatile forward.
Moyes needs backing to take advantage of strong start to the season
David Moyes isn’t the most popular manager in West Ham’s history but despite some mixed recent results, he’s led the club to the top six of the Premier League and into the knockout stages of the Europa League.
If West Ham can sell the likes of Ings, Benrahma and potentially Antonio as well this month, then alongside the money they received for Declan Rice, they should be able to invest again this month.
The business they did in the summer was exceptional and if they can replicate that in this transfer window then they could really kick on.
That will be easier said than done but considering they’re still technically fighting on three fronts and after Jarrod Bowen limped off at the end of their draw against Bristol City yesterday, fortifying their attacking options makes a lot of sense.
They appear to have missed out on Timo Werner after being offered the German, while Thilo Kehrer has already departed the club to join Monaco.
West Ham have been offered the chance to sign Ajax’s Steven Bergwijn, HITC Football understands, while PSG’s Hugo Ekitike is also a player they are interested in.
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