Danny Ings rejects four-year Southampton deal

Danny Ings has reportedly rejected the offer of a new four-year deal at Southampton.

The 28-year-old has just one year left on his current Saints deal and the club are desperate to tie him down to a new one.

But Ings has consistently hinted at his desire to play Champions League football after an injury-hit spell with Liverpool didn’t go to plan.

Southampton were said to be optimistic over a new deal after positive conversations with Ings and his agent, but The Athletic report that the latest offer of a four-year contract has been rebuffed.

MEDIAWATCH: England beat Ukraine, Covid and ‘draconian laws’ in one night!

Ings has been linked with Manchester United and Spurs in recent months and Southampton could now be open to selling their talisman to avoid losing him for free in 12 months time.

United have secured the extension of Edinson Cavani’s contract for another year but reports suggest the Uruguayan could still move elsewhere, which could pave the way for a move for Ings.

And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has refused to rule out bringing in another striker this summer.

“No, of course I can’t [rule out bringing in a centre-forward],” Solskjaer said.

“Yeah Edi [Cavani] signed but how many good strikers have we had at this club?

“And I can’t say we’re not signing a striker, of course not because we’re building towards a better squad.

“We’re top three two years on the bounce but we’re still nowhere near where we want to be. Hopefully, we’ll end up with a stronger squad at the start of next season and be more consistent and challenge the ones in front of us.”

But former United striker Dimitar Berbatov doesn’t feel Ings is the answer.

“I see that Man United have been linked with Southampton and England striker Danny Ings, he is a good player and I really rate him but I don’t think he is what United need at the moment,” he told Betfair.

“The club have pretty much everything they need in the striking department at the moment, lots of experience and pace.

“Edinson Cavani keeps scoring, proving his worth and proving how good a decision it was to give him a contract extension, he scored an unbelievable goal the other day.

“So, with all this in mind going for Danny Ings makes no sense to me.”