The Athletic: Danny Ings signs new long-term contract, but not for Southampton.

From Ralphs conference today it sounds like the stumbling blocks are money related. Answering a question about Danny and the contract, he started talking about how during this time all clubs are losing money and things are difficult. Not hugely encouraging tbh because our money situation isn't going to improve any time soon. And that's not even just talking about the impact of Covid.

 

I thought the same when listening to Ralph but maybe not...

Perhaps it is length of contract? Which is still finance related but not directly an issue with wages.

 

Interesting, thanks for that! I really didn't get that from what Ralph said. It sounded like we want him, he wants to stay, the only issue is money. But if that's not the case, I assume he must still have his heart set on a 'big club' move and maybe Champions League football.

 

Wrong thread.

 

It is hard to work out, if Dan Sheldon knows it isn't down to money, then you would think he must have a pretty good idea of what the problem is.

It'll all come out in the wash... I just hope none of the "big 6" would be willing to spend so big on what would likely be a back up striker. It is also a relief that Everton & Leicester have DCL & Vardy.

 

Leicester have a 34 year old next birthday Vardy. Perfect fit.

 

I just wonder if he wants too long a contract for Saints liking

 

sorry, 34 already. And this:

https://www.football365.com/news/brendan-rodgers-leicester-plan-for-life-after-jamie-vardy

 

As I said a few months back Leicester did indeed show an interest, I will put money on him going there in the summer.
His wages are not the issue here, it’s our ambition/owner who won’t invest to the next level.

 

One way of sorting out our debt, selling Ings would balance the spreadsheets in one go but not my preferred option tbh

 

I still think he'll sign a new contract.

 

I dont think he will. Its all too puplic for it to be even close

 

Yep me neither. I just feel that he thinks he is at the tail end of his career and wants to play at the highest level possible. Unfortunately that may not be possible with us.

 

I think a lot of Premier League players, insulated as they are from everyday economic realities, probably don't realise how much the world is changing, and how ****ing lucky they are. This isn't specifically aimed at Danny Ings btw.

 

Agreed, and we as a club have learned, probably better than most clubs, that if any player, whoever they are, doesn’t want to stay here, then we are better off letting them go for as much as we can get for them. And that applies to Danny as much as Virgil, Jose, or any of the others.

 

Yeah. Kinda hoping Danny might be different, being a boyhood fan and all, but sadly, perhaps not. No one is bigger than the club, and given the current state of the entire world's economy, for once I wouldn't hold the club to blame if this fell through.

Big boots to fill though.

 

He is a boyhood fan and I don't feel he would screw us over, but this is also his job and career, rather than a leisure activity it is to us.

He will always love Saints and in some ways has fulfilled his childhood ambition already, but take away the heart and using his head he probably wants to maximise his career (*not necessarily money) and play at the highest level and win trophies.

Or he could always end up like MLT, a one club legend that IMO has now soured that with his stupid views about COVID, lockdowns etc on Twatter.

 

As long as he is professional whilst he plays for us and does his best (which he does) I cannot blame him if he wants a last good move.

 

We must always remember why they became our heroes; for what they did in the pitch, not what they said off it. Luckily I don’t do social media, but I’d ignore that if I did.