Phillips wants it to be a Dan deal

KEVIN PHILLIPS believes Southampton need to sort a new deal for Danny Ings – or risk losing him to one of the Premier League big guns in the January transfer window.

Ings was the joint-second top scorer in the top flight last season, netting 22 times in a campaign which saw Saints enjoy a rollercoaster ride to safety.

And the frontman, 28, has been equally prolific so far this term, scoring four in his first five matches for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

Add to that a first England goal in their friendly against Wales, and it’s little wonder that Ings is a man in demand.

It’s a situation familiar to Phillips (above) who scored 92 goals in the Premier League, including 22 in a two-year spell at St Mary’s.

Despite his record, Phillips never earned a move to a club challenging for a place in the Champions League. But although Ings endured a difficult spell at Liverpool, Phillips has no doubt that the Saints hitman will attract attention soon.

He said: “Over the past 18 months,

Danny

Ings has been in fanta fantastic form. Fo For me, he’s a g great striker who is massively underrated. “Look at h his goals-toga games ratio. The There aren’t many who can live with him. I think the big clubs will definitely have him on their radar. “There were rumours of him joining Man United not too long ago and when you look at his age, he’s only a year or so older than Harry Kane.

“It all comes down to contract negotiations. If Southampton can tie him down for another three years, he’s certainly going to come at a price.” Ings signed a three-year deal last summer and the South Coast club are confident he’ll extend his contract sooner rather than later.

Kevin Phillips was speaking to the Daily Star Sunday via the Racing Post

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