Exhaustive Man City worldwide striker search unearths unexpected target
Reports suggest Manchester City may turn to Southampton striker Danny Ings if, as expected, Sergio Aguero leaves the club this summer.
Aguero will be out of contract at the end of the current campaign. It seems highly likely that his trophy-laden 10-year spell at the Etihad Stadium will come to an end in June.
The Argentinian will not be short of suitors. Recent reports suggested that Barcelona were leading the race for his signature.
Other clubs said to be keen include Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Inter. But, wherever he goes, his departure will leave a huge void in the City ranks.
Aguero has bagged 257 goals from 384 appearances in all competitions for the Citizens. The South American has scored 181 in the Premier League.
However, only one of those has come this season as he has been plagued by injury and made only four league starts. Pep Guardiola’s men have coped well in his absence.
They are still challenging on four fronts and look certainties to win the Premier League title in May. But there is no doubt that the Spanish tactician will look to add to his striking ranks in the off-season.
Sky Sports News report that Guardiola has checked out ‘all of the world’s top centre-forwards’. They suggest that Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Erling Haaland is top of the wanted list.
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But he would come at a price and, with many clubs interested, it could be tough to get over the line.
Ings a more affordable target
Saints striker Ings is the latest name to emerge on the Etihad radar for a summer swoop, according to Sky Sports.
The 28-year-old has enjoyed his best spell as a professional at St Mary’s. He notched 22 top-flight goals last season and 25 in all competitions.
That earned him a recall to the England squad and he now has three caps to his name. Ings, who has been linked with Totttenham, does have experience of playing for a top-six club.
But his spell on the Liverpool books was ruined by injury. And it is open to debate as to whether he is a player who would thrive more at a ‘lesser’ club.
He is said to be highly-rated by City chiefs and would certainly cost less than many others. Currently injured, Ings will hope to return after the international break and give Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate a nudge.
A decent showing at this summer’s delayed European Championship might help seal a move to Manchester.
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