Former Premier League striker Noel Whelan has backed West Ham to win the race to sign Danny Ings this summer.
The Southampton ace could be on the move after reportedly rejecting a new deal at St Mary’s in search of a new challenge.
Irons boss David Moyes is in the market for a frontman and the Hammers were named alongside Tottenham and Aston Villa as potential suitors.
Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan suggested the east Londoners would be in with a great shout of landing the 28-year-old.
When you look at the size of Villa, Tottenham and West Ham, they are pretty similar. Tottenham, for me, are probably slightly bigger in terms of history and what they have done. But when you look at where they are after last season, West Ham are more appealing because they are in the Europa League. It would be hard to turn down a move to any of those clubs. Look at the market Villa have gone into. Look at Tottenham’s stadium. West Ham have Europe, they all have their benefits.
Ings has now entered the final 12 months of a deal on the south coast and could potentially leave for free next summer.
Contributing 12 goals and four assists in the Premier League last season, the three-cap England man continues to flourish in the top-flight.
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West Ham should definitely fancy their chances of competing with Tottenham and Villa for any signing following the 2020/21 campaign.
Valued at £19.8million (Transfermarkt), Ings is likely to move on for around that figure given the dwindling contract situation.
Moyes and co should be monitoring the potential deal very carefully as landing the Englishman to play alongside and instead of Michail Antonio would be a major coup for the Hammers.
