Ian Wright slams ‘disrespect’ being shown to Ings over Man City links

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 3 min read

Danny Ings would be a prolific striker for Manchester City and those who doubt he could make it at that level have no respect, according to former Arsenal striker Ian Wright.

Ings’ current contract with Southampton ends this summer and so speculation has been rife that he could leave the club in a free transfer, with both Man City and Tottenham credited with an interest previously.

READ MORE: Haaland speaks out on Real Madrid and Man City rumours

Pep Guardiola’s side may lose Sergio Aguero on a free this summer and would need a replacement for him, while Tottenham require competition in the centre-forward role for Harry Kane, with Carlos Vinicius set to return to Benfica after his loan spell.

Ings has earned a big move once in his career from Burnley to Liverpool on a free transfer, but injuries ravaged his time at Anfield, meaning he never truly made an impact.

A loan and permanent move to Southampton materialised and it is with the Saints that he is arguably playing the best football career, with a return to the England squad achieved in 2020.

He has scored 30 goals in his last 52 starts for Southampton, and Wright believes he could record even higher numbers if he went to City to silence the doubters.

“I’ve got to mention [Danny] Ings – you see the link with [Manchester] City,” Wright said on Wrighty’s House podcast.

“The disrespect people are giving Danny Ings. Why are you doing that? He can press like Pep [Guardiola] would want him to and would stay in the areas to get chance upon chance.

“Danny Ings has got himself into the England squad from a terrible injury which meant he couldn’t do what he wanted to do at Liverpool. It wasn’t his fault. Ings could get 25 goals in that City team at a canter.

“[He has] got himself back and scoring goals at this level, making it look easy. Now he’s linked with Manchester City, who may not get their main target but need someone in who can finish chances.”

What if Ings didn’t leave Liverpool?

Wright also believes that Liverpool should have kept hold of Ings despite his injury problems, as he would be an ideal replacement for Roberto Firmino, who has been struggling to find the back of the net in 2020/21.

“When you’re talking about astute management and the recruitment at that level…look at Ings,” he added.

“if he was backing up Bobby Firmino now, he could link Liverpool’s attack now.”

During his two seasons with the reds, Ings only made six starts in the Premier League, though did manage to score three goals.

Man City, meanwhile, have reportedly made Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland their number one target for the summer transfer window.