Julen Lopetegui performs West Ham United u-turn on expensive ace who refused to leave
Julen Lopetegui has decided to give Danny Ings the chance to revive his West Ham career after performing a “u-turn” on his view of the striker, GiveMeSport reports.
According to the outlet’s website on 6 September sources at the club have indicated that the new manager is “very keen” to have different options in attack and is ready to open the door to the Englishman staking a claim to a regular place thanks to his committed attitude.
Despite West Ham signing Niclas Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund during the transfer window Ings rejected the chance to return to Southampton and is “adamant” he has unfinished business at the London Stadium.
He scored a behind-closed-doors hat-trick against Dagenham & Redbridge earlier this week as he looks to convince Lopetegui to give him more opportunities, and sources believe the Spaniard is ready to hand him a chance in the Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool on 25 September.
Danny Ings angles for West Ham revival after Southampton snub
Ings certainly has unfinished business for the Hammers, while it could be argued as more like un-started business after just four goals in 53 appearances.
His £125,000-a-week contract does not justify that return and was something the club were “desperate” to offload during the transfer window [talksSPORT, 13 August].
While loan exits were secured for various other peripheral high-earners including Kurt Zouma, Nayef Aguerd and Maxwel Cornet, who did join Southampton [BBC Sport, 30 August], Ings seemingly had other ideas.
At 32 it remains to be seen how much of a revival he can bring about but it is a positive that both player and manager are looking to make the best of the situation.
He will need to go some to catch up and make the investment of a transfer worth up to £15m from Aston Villa [Sky Sports] and his big contract pay off.
But considering the Hammers weren’t able to follow up Fullkrug’s signing with a second striker deal, despite strong links to Tammy Abraham [Correire dello Sport, 26 August] and Jhon Duran [HITC, 14 August], it would certainly be a bonus if a senior man they already have in the squad could find a new lease of life.
In other West Ham news, a wage demands update has emerged as the Irons close in on signing a new Will Salthouse client.
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