Mourinho responds to Ings transfer talk; gives Lo Celso injury update

Jose Mourinho responded to talk of a move for Southampton striker Danny Ings ahead of Tottenham’s FA Cup clash at Wycombe on Monday night.

Spurs enquired about signing Ings back in September when they were in the market for a back-up to Harry Kane.

They eventually added Carlos Vinicius on loan from Benfica. But with Ings stalling on contract talks at St Mary’s those rumours have resurfaced again.

Mourinho is believed to be a huge fan of the England striker, who has netted 27 Premier League goals since the start of last season.

However, he refused to be drawn on talk of a potential swoop at his press conference for the cup clash.

The Portuguese insists he has enough forward options at his disposal, with Vinicius and Son Heung-Min also options through the middle.

He told reportets: “Let’s go bit by bit. Two strikers, we are not a team that needs a third striker because the third striker is Sonny.

“Of course we have the best. We are happy with Carlos. Carlos is not our player, he’s a Benfica player, but he’s a player we’re looking to develop.

“Ings of course I refuse totally to say any word about him because he’s a Southampton player.”

No Lo Celso return yet

Mourinho also gave an update on Giovani Lo Celso’s fitness ahead of Monday night’s game.

The Argentine suffered a muscle injury in the home defeat to Leicester back in December, and Mourinho is not expecting him back just yet.

He added: “The injury, no doubts, is still Giovani Lo Celso who will be a couple more weeks. We have two or three players who have small injuries.”

Plenty has been made on Dele Alli’s future, with a potential loan switch to PSG in the pipeline. But Mourinho admitted the reason for his recent absence is down to an injury issue.

Mourinho added: “Dele Alli has not been training in recent days with small problem in the tendon, and Serge Aurier, not really well. We still have three days before the match though.”

“The reason he [Dele] was not selected for Sheffield is everything in relation to the injury. It’s an injury that doesn’t allow him to train properly. It’s not one that will keep him out for a long time. Just a small thing.”

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