West Ham transfer news emerges amid Southampton interest in Danny Ings
West Ham outcast Danny Ings has turned down any chance of a Championship move amid interest from Southampton, according to The Athletic.
The website reported [8 January] that the 31-year-old has no desire to drop down to Championship football, despite interest from former side Southampton, a club in which he made a century of appearances for over two spells.
It is understood from a recent HITC report that Ings’ “extortionate” wage of £150,000 is a huge stumbling block as West Ham hopes to move the forward on from London Stadium, with Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Burnley all interested.
Rejecting a fairytale ending
It is rather odd to hear Ings snubbing a move to the Saints despite his lack of game time at West Ham. Having made 100 appearances for them, the striker could have another opportunity for success with his former team.
The veteran has proven time and time again since moving to London from Aston Villa that he is no longer the top-quality poacher he used to be, failing to register a goal contribution yet this season.
With the Saints pushing for promotion back to the Premier League, just three points behind Ipswich Town in the automatic promotion spots, Ings could help fire the club out of the Championship.
However, with Adam Armstrong and Che Adams already in the squad, Ings could be given a similar role to his “bench warmer” position at West Ham and he is probably not ready to face the music.
Boasting 46 goals across two separate spells at St Mary’s Stadium, Ings could still offer a lot of experience at his former club. But his stance on the supposed move is very clear, due to Southampton being in the Championship.
In other West Ham news, Antonio has made an “honest” admission on the club’s January transfer plans.