Ings could hot up if Saints fail
SAINTS need to tie up a new deal for Danny Ings or risk losing him to one of the Premier League big guns in the January transfer window, reckons Kevin Phillips.
Ings was the jointsecond top scorer in the top flight last season, netting 22 times in a season that saw Southampton on a rollercoaster ride to safety.
He 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 is a situation familiar to Phillips, who scored 92 goals in the Premier League, including 23 in a two-year spell at St Mary’s.
Despite his record, the former Sunderland striker 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 the attention of those clubs with European ambitions when 2021 rolls around.
“Over the past 18 months Danny Ings has been in fantastic form. For me, he’s a great striker who is massively underrated,” said Phillips.
“Look at his goals-togames ratio and 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 Manchester 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 Saints can tie him down for another three years, he’s going to come at a price.”
Kevin Phillips was speaking with the Sunday Mirror via the Racing Post