Liverpool poised for cash windfall as Man City identify Haaland alternative

Liverpool could be set for a much-needed cash windfall this summer – after it emerged that Manchester City have stepped up their interest in Southampton star Danny Ings.

The Premier League leaders are desperate to sign a long-term replacement for Sergio Aguero, whose contract at the Etihad runs out at the end of the season.

Pep Guardiola has made signing a new striker one of his top priorities and it has been widely documented that Borussia Dortmund goalscoring sensation Erling Haaland is his No.1 choice.

But Haaland is also wanted by the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea, with Dortmund believed to be holding out for a fee of at least £100million.

That has led City to explore cheaper alternatives and, according to Sky Sports, Ings' fine form for Southampton has impressed Etihad chiefs.

The England international, 28, has revived his career after leaving Liverpool, where he endured an injury-hit four-year spell, to join the Saints permanently in 2019.

The Reds agreed a £20m deal – which included a guaranteed £18m plus £2m in add-ons – to allow Ings to move to St Mary's after initially impressing on loan on the south coast.

And Anfield bosses were also smart enough to insert a 20% sell-on clause in that deal, meaning they will be guaranteed a financial boost if the Saints cash in on the former Burnley star.

Indeed, the St Mary's outfit may be forced to agree a deal with their Premier League rivals as Ings is about to enter the final year of his contract, which expires in the summer of 2022.

That puts City in a good position to strike a deal – and Liverpool certainly won't complain if a summer move materalises.

Ings initially joined Southampton on a season-long loan for the 2018/19 campaign and is now regarded as one of the league's top goalscorers, finishing last season as joint-second top scorer with 22 goals.

His form has also seen him force his way back in the England fold, with the 28-year-old hoping to earn a place in Gareth Southgate's squad for Euro 2020 this summer.

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The speculation surrounding City's possible interest in Ings comes after Haaland refused to be drawn on speculation about his future

Haaland, who only joined the Bundesliga side in January of 2020, has found the back of the net an incredible 49 times in 49 matches in all competitions.

The free-scoring 20-year-old has been subject to much discussion but the player himself offered a fairly vague response when asked about his future.

"I still have three years of contract. I am not upset about that," he said when asked by the media as he arrived for International duty with Norway.

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