Dean Jones offers verdict on Southampton return for Danny Ings in new West Ham United exit admission
Dean Jones has suggested that Championship sides would only be able to sign Danny Ings on loan from West Ham United during the January transfer window.
The 31-year-old has been a bit part player so far this season, starting a single Premier League game and he has been in terrible form, with his last strike coming all the way back in April during a Europa Conference League clash with Gent.
It’s been reported that there is a “concrete possibility” that Ings will leave the Irons in January [Fabrizio Romano. 17 December] and while a return to Southampton has been mooted, Jones has suggested Championship sides would only be able to afford a loan deal.
As quoted by Give Me Sport (23 December) he said: “I think the links with Burnley do make some sense because that is the level of club I’ve been expecting to show interest in him. But outside of that, I think signing Ings on loan would be about as good as any club in the Championship could hope for in a January window.
“I know that West Ham are open-minded about Ings leaving in January. So, let’s see. This could become feasible if Saints are serious about trying to chase Ings.”
Need him out
It is clear that Ings is not equipped to be West Ham’s number nine anymore. His style of play doesn’t suit David Moyes’ tactics and the Hammers look much worse when he is on the field so the best thing for all parties is to move him on in January.
While the Irons would likely be keen to receive a fee given the fact they only signed him 12 months ago, they may have to settle for a loan switch just to get him off their wage bill to free up some money for new additions in the January window.
A return to either Burnley or Southampton will likely be attractive for Ings considering he spent large parts of his career with both clubs. A switch within the Premier League would be preferred but he isn’t in a position to turn down regular first-team football.
The destination or terms of the deal may not be set yet, but it feels almost certain that Ings will not be a West Ham player come the end of the January transfer window.
In other West Ham news, Fabrizio Romano has reported that Thilo Kehrer has been offered to Roma ahead of the January transfer window