In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, ex-Southampton midfielder Carlton Palmer has suggested that his old club should have considered selling star man Danny Ings in the January transfer window.
Ings will only have a year left on his contract in the summer and looks no closer to signing a new one, with The Telegraph reporting that the 28-year-old is holding out for a Champions League club.
Ings started the season in fine fashion, registering four goals in Southampton’s first five Premier League games, but has since dropped off. His opener in a 2-1 defeat to Wolves is the striker’s only goal in his last eight matches, a cause for concern for manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, as the Saints continue to fall down the table.
Will Ings stay at Southampton?
Yes
No
Speaking exclusively to FFC about his former side’s dilemma with Ings, Palmer said:
“For me, I think they should have sat down with Danny Ings while the transfer deadline was on and said, ‘listen, if you’re not going to sign a new contract, it’s better you go now’.
“They might have had a discussion and he might be going at the end of the season where they think they can get the right replacement in. Or maybe, I don’t know, Danny’s said to them, listen, let’s see where we are at the end of the season. But it’s a strange one to me.”
Like the beginning of this campaign, Ings was in stunning form last term. He scored 25 goals in all competitions, with 22 of those coming in the Premier League.
The England international has been linked with a move to Tottenham, who could bring him in to provide competition for their leading striker Harry Kane. Whether Ings would be willing to accept such a role, though, remains to be seen.