Manchester City have reportedly identified former Liverpool star Danny Ings as the man to replace all-time leading goalscorer Sergio Aguero in the summer.
According to a report from Sky Sports, Manchester City have narrowed down their search for a potential successor for Sergio Aguero to Southampton and England striker Danny Ings ahead of the summer transfer window.
Ings, a product of the Bournemouth youth academy, burst onto the scenes during his time at Burnley, prompting Liverpool to invest in him in the summer of 2015. However, the Englishman’s time at Anfield was mired by injury and fitness woes, as he made just 25 appearances in three seasons at the club.
Ings left Liverpool for Southampton in the summer of 2018, initially on loan before making the move permanent a year later. And, he has managed to rediscover his best form during his time at St. Mary’s, amassing a tally of 42 goals from 92 matches so far.
Ings enjoyed a brilliant 2019/20 campaign racking up 22 goals in the Premier League and started the ongoing season strongly as well. However, his form has suffered of late, with Southampton’s fortunes dwindling since the turn of the year. Nevertheless, he has now popped on the radars of Manchester City ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Cityzens, for long, have been reliant on Sergio Aguero for the goods in the final third. But the Argentine, over the last year has struggled with form and fitness and has gradually been phased out of the first-team by manager Pep Guardiola.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season now, Aguero has emerged as a target for a number of clubs like Chelsea and Barcelona. And considering that Gabriel Jesus has not quite exactly been a prolific scorer during his time at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City are having to scour the market for a long-term successor for Aguero.
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Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland has been top of the wishlist for Manchester City. But with the Norwegian international likely to command a transfer fee of around £100 million and also being chased by a host of other top clubs, the Cityzens have identified Ings as a more affordable and attainable option.
What makes Ings an even more attractive prospect for Manchester City is that the 28-year-old will be entering the final year of his contract with Southampton at the end of the season, which means the Saints might have to cash in on him in the summer transfer window.
It now remains to be seen whether Guardiola & co. decide to make a move for the England international or push ahead with their pursuit of Haaland in order to replace Aguero at the club.
