Kevin Thelwell wants Danny Ings at Everton as Aston Villa respond to bid
Kevin Thelwell is particularly keen to sign Danny Ings for Everton after Aston Villa knocked back a loan approach from the Toffees this month, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The club’s director of football held a lengthy discussion on Tuesday night (3 January) at Goodison Park with Frank Lampard after the Toffees suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat against Brighton.
The Toffees are keen to bolster their forward department and want to land Ings to boost their survival hopes. But they have been left frustrated in their attempts to sign the 30-year-old.
Villa are adamant that they will only sell the player on a permanent deal. West Ham and Southampton are also in the race to sign the striker who has netted 67 times in 186 appearances in the Premier League.
Get it done
Adding a new striker to their ranks is a priority for the Toffees in January.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has just returned from another injury spell, and the club must use him wisely.
Neal Maupay, the summer signing from Brighton, has cut a frustrating figure at the club, and Lampard needs more depth and quality in the final third.
Middlesbrough attacker Chuba Akpom has been linked with a move as well, but Ings would be a smart addition.
The Villa striker has got loads of Premier League experience and he has a natural finisher. His records for Southampton are simply enviable where he managed 40 goals in 100 appearances.
Capable of playing as a lone striker or as a second striker, Ings could be willing to move as well, as he is currently not getting regular starts under Unai Emery.
He did manage six goals in eight starts for the Villans so far. Ings has a contract at Villa Park until 2024, and the Toffees will have to pay a handsome fee to lure him away.
If Thelwell is serious about landing him, Everton shouldn’t hesitate in getting the deal done.