Southampton's English striker Danny Ings (L) gestures during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Southampton at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on December 7, 2020. (Photo by Gareth Fuller / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GARETH FULLER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
According to Sky Sports, Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has urged his star striker, Danny Ings, to sign a new contract with the club. With just 18 months left on his current deal, the club want to secure his future. The former Liverpool man has attracted the attention of big clubs after his exploits for the Saints.
The 28-year-old English forward started his youth career at Southampton and Bournemouth academies back in 2008. However, it was only in 2010 that Ings could break into the first-team at Bournemouth. A short loan spell to Dorchester followed in his first season and then he was sold to Burnley in 2011.
Ings racked up some phenomenal numbers for the clarets as he went on to make 130 appearances, scored 43 goals, and provided 14 assists in 4 seasons.
His performances were noticed by Liverpool and they signed him. It was a bad decision on his part as he barely featured more than 25 times in three seasons. Southampton came to his rescue and took him on an initial loan deal in 2018 and then made it permanent in 2019.
Since his move, Ings looks like he’s back to his best and was in the hunt for the golden boot last season. His figures for Southampton make for impressive reading. In 76 games, he has 39 goals and 8 assists.
The forward has already scored another 6 goals in 9 games this season. Ings hasn’t had much luck with the national team, with so many forwards at the Three Lions’ disposal. He has managed to play just thrice for the senior team.
When you have a striker that almost single-handedly carries your club to a 11th-place finish in the league, there should be no doubt about handing him a new and long-term deal to secure his future. Danny Ings has done exactly that for Southampton and in turn, the club are following up on the last bit.
Ings has been nothing short of fantastic for Southampton since joining them from Liverpool. He has scored goals at a prolific rate and made sure the club can rely on him to produce the goods every single time.
A new deal for Ings is perhaps the most logical move from Southampton as they look to secure the forward’s future for the time being and benefit from his contributions on the pitch.
On the other spectrum is Southampton’s success this season. If one told you that after 11 games, Southampton would be sitting at 5th place, above the likes of both Manchester clubs, Arsenal and other mid-table clubs (at the time of writing), you wouldn’t believe them one bit.
That is exactly the case as the club have performed so well this season. This is what Danny Ings will be missing out on if he doesn’t wish to continue there. For the first time in years, the club are very likely on their way to a good season and he could stay and be a part of that.