Leeds should be on alert with reports this week claiming that Aston Villa are now open to selling Danny Ings during the summer transfer window.
According to 90min, the Villans will listen to offers for Ings, just one year after his £25 million move. Southampton, Bournemouth and Brighton are all interested in the 29-year-old.
It would be naive to think this would be a suggestion everyone would welcome. But surely, Leeds should put themselves in the running.
The Whites absolutely need to sign a striker in this window. And Ings would arguably tick a fair number of boxes.
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He is no stranger to the kind of system Jesse Marsch prefers, having often featured in a 4-2-2-2 formation at Southampton. It was at St Mary’s where Ings enjoyed the best spell of his career.
He is prepared to work hard, pressing the ball and shutting down gaps for defenders.
In the Premier League, he averages better than a goal every three games, having scored 62 times in 170 top-flight appearances.
Marsch said Ings had been ‘explosive‘ in transition ahead of Villa’s trip to Elland Road. So he is also an admirer of the England international.
Should Leeds target Danny Ings?
Of course, there are issues that Leeds would need to weigh up. Ings has probably not had the best time alongside Ollie Watkins since moving to Villa Park.
And he will be 30 by the start of next season. So, much like Rodrigo, his value is only going to go one way.
Much will depend on how much Villa want for Ings. But Leeds have one attacker at the top of his game in Patrick Bamford. And they have the likes of Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood knocking on the door.
Ings may not be the perfect option for Marsch’s system. But he is a proven Premier League goalscorer attracting interest from a number of sides Leeds will have their sights set on finishing above next year.
Perhaps the opportunity should be too good for Leeds to turn down.