It seems almost a certainty that Danny Ings will leave Burnley at the end of the season, following the expiry of his contract, regardless of the Premier League status of the Lancashire club next season. Reports suggest that Burnley could be in line for £6 million worth of compensation for the 23-year-old, if he decides to move to an English club. Ings has followed up his starring role in Burnley’s promotion last year with a good first season in the Premier League. In a team struggling at the wrong end of the table, his nine goals (whilst not seeming like that many) have been invaluable, although he has not scored in his last seven Premier League games. With FA chairman Greg Dyke’s desire to introduce tougher rules to improve opportunities for home-grown players, the Englishman will be in high demand. Although Turf Moor may be sad to see their talismanic striker leave, it will be good business for the club to receive much more in compensation than they originally paid for him (£1 million in 2011).
Below are a few of the clubs chasing the England U21 international.
Real Sociedad
Ings apparently flew out to the Basque Country in February to hold talks with David Moyes’s side. Since his move to Spain, Moyes has been keen to recruit from the Premier League and the fact that Sociedad would only have to pay £300,000 in compensation would surely seem attractive. Unfortunately for Moyes, Ings appears to have ruled out this option, which would have been a particularly bold career move at such a young age.
Liverpool
The Merseyside club pursued the striker in January, and are one of the clubs in pole position for his signature this summer. The player would learn much from Brendan Rodgers and his management style. He would also get a significant amount of playing time, particularly if Liverpool’s trio of misfiring strikers – Fabio Borini, Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert – depart from Anfield.
Manchester United
Any potential transfer to Old Trafford may depend on what Louis van Gaal decides to do with his other strikers: Robin Van Persie has been injured and out of form this season, yet his quality is unquestionable and he has still scored 10 Premier League goals this season (one more than Danny Ings); it is likely United will not fork out the £43.5 million to sign Radamel Falcao at the end of the season; and James Wilson may go out on loan again. If van Gaal can find room amongst his strikers for Ings, then United may well be his preferred destination. However, is Danny Ings a big enough signing to help United challenge for the Premier League next season?
Manchester City
Manchester City will be one of the clubs hardest hit by Greg Dyke’s home-grown player proposals and so Manuel Pellegrini will want to increase the number of English-born players in his squad. However, previous attempts by City to increase English representation in their squad have seen the careers of some promising young players greatly damaged (for example Scott Sinclair and Jack Rodwell). The January signing of Wilfried Bony and the continuing doubts over Pellegrini’s future could also hinder any potential transfer. Similarly to the rhetorical question posed above, there will be skepticism as to whether Danny Ings is the marquee signing that will help City regain the Premier League and make progress in the Champions League
Tottenham
The thought of Harry Kane and Danny Ings regularly lining up together for Spurs will be music to the ears of the England national team management. Kane desperately needs a partner in crime and neither Roberto Soldado or Emmanuel Adebayor fit the bill. Working under Mauricio Pochettino would also help Ings’s progression as a footballer.
