According to the Guardian, Crystal Palace are set to step up their interest in Liverpool striker Danny Ings. The Reds reportedly value the former Burnley star at around £20million.
Palace are not the only club who are on the trail of the 26-year-old, as Leicester, Newcastle and Southampton are reportedly interested in signing the striker this summer.
Finally giving up on Liverpool career
Ings joined Liverpool as a free agent at 23 from Burnley after a successful debut campaign in the top-flight with the Clarets. When the club from Lancashire suffered relegation, their star striker along with now England international Kieran Trippier stayed in the Premier League with Liverpool and Tottenham respectively.
The striker has always looked like he had talent. However, injuries have hampered his career on Merseyside. Injuries have played a big part in the forward playing just 14 Premier League games in three years for the Reds.
During that period, he has scored just one goal, which was a memorable one as it came in a 1-1 draw at Everton in the Merseyside derby. The game was Brendan Rodgers last as Reds boss.
A lack of playing time when fit is also likely to be in Ings thinking about a move elsewhere. Reportedly, he has turned down moves in the past. With so much competition for places in the Liverpool attack, a summer move now looks inevitable.
Still has something to prove in the top-flight
The fact that so many top-flight clubs have been linked with a move for the forward shows that he is still highly regarded within the English game. In truth, he has only ever played one full season in the Premier League.
He still has much to prove as a top-level striker, especially at 26. He needs to start playing regular first-team football. He is obviously not going to get that at Liverpool, with the Reds formidable forward three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino untouchable.
In reserve, the Reds also have promising young England under-21 striker Dominic Solanke, as well as England international Daniel Sturridge, who Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is reportedly set to give a chance in the new season.
With all those players seemingly in front of him in the pecking order, Ings would be foolish to stay on Merseyside this summer.
Ings can thrive with regular first-team football
As I mentioned earlier, we have not seen much of Danny Ings in the Premier League. However, when he has appeared for Burnley and Liverpool in his cameos he has looked like an intelligent forward, who could succeed in the top-flight with regular action.
It seems that Ings leaving Liverpool is right for both the player and his club. If the mooted fee of £20million is accurate, then the Merseysiders stand to make a major profit on the sale of the forward, who eventually cost Ings £6.5million at a tribunal.
Whether Ings ends up at Palace, Southampton, Newcastle or Leicester this summer, any move will be better for his career than playing for Liverpool’s under-23’s.
Where will Danny Ings be playing his football next season?
