Football
Exclusive: Danny Ings Poised for West Ham Exit as He Seeks More Game Time
Ex-England international Danny Ings is set to leave West Ham after limited playing time. The striker has struggled to score, with his contract expiring soon. Championship clubs are interested as manager Graham Potter seeks a new striker for European football push.
West Ham United FC v Crystal Palace FC - Premier League by Justin Setterfield | Getty Images
Experienced striker Danny Ings is nearing the West Ham exit door, SportsBoom sources can reveal.
The former England international has been a bit-part player for the Hammers this season with Ghana international hitman Mohammed Kudos having been manager Graham Potter’s main man.
Potter has employed Kudus as a sole striker in a preferred 4-5-1 formation, which has meant Ings has had limited opportunities to impress.
Kudus has only mustered three goals in 24 league games this term (and 27 in all competitons), but predominantly used as an impact substitute, Ings has only scored once in 17 appearances in all competitions.
In fact, the 32-year-old forward has not scored since 14th September – over six months ago - when he netted in a 1-1 away draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage.
However, the former Aston Villa, Southampton and Liverpool striker still has plenty to offer given his longevity and distinguished career in the Premier League.
And a number of Championship clubs are also believed to be monitoring his situation as his contract runs down.
CONTRACT CONUNDRUM
He is out of contract this summer, and could consider a drop down to the second tier where, given his vast experience, he would likely find plenty of success and guarantee himself regular game time.
Although Potter is a fan of the player, SportsBoom understands he is happy for the player to move as he looks to sign a new striker in the summer.
England international Jarrod Bowen is the club’s joint leading scorer with fellow midfielder Tomas Soucek, with Potter desperate to bolster his squad’s firepower as they push for European football.
Ings, capped three times by his country, has played in the Premier League for 12 consecutive seasons and scored goals, respectively, at every club he has played.
But his goal returns for the Hammers is woeful. In the 2022-23 season he scored just two goals in 17 league games, one goal in 20 appearances the next season and only the one goal this term.
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