As expected, Liverpool have won the race to sign Danny Ings, who will join James Milner as a new addition to the squad on 1 July.
Brendan Rodgers has been chasing the England Under-21 international for at least six months, and failed with an offer to secure his signature during the January transfer window. At the time it was suggested that whilst Ings would have welcomed the move to Anfield, he also felt a debt of loyalty to Burnley as they fought to survive an instant relegation back to the Championship.
This was a battle the Lancashire club failed to win, as they lost their top-flight status with two matches to spare and ended the campaign second-bottom and five points adrift of safety. By this time it was widely expected that Ings would leave Turf Moor during the summer when his contract expired, with a host of clubs willing to offer him an instant route back to the Premier League.
As well as Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur had expressed an interest in the former Bournemouth youngster and there were even reports that Louis van Gaal was considering offering him a switch to Manchester United. But the Merseyside giants were always classed as favourites to land the striker, and it was confirmed on Monday that he had agreed personal terms with the club.
Ings will officially become part of Rodgers’ squad, subject to a passed medical, on 1 July when his contract at Burnley will have expired. In the meantime the two clubs are locked in discussions as they try to agree a compensation fee for the player, failing which the case will go to a tribunal who will determine the fee the Reds have to pay, which could be as much as £6million.
The acquisition of Ings, who scored 11 goals in the Premier League last season, is the second piece of business Liverpool have concluded since the end of a disappointing campaign in which they finished in sixth position. James Milner, the England international midfielder, last week agreed to join the Anfield club when his contract at Manchester City expires at the end of this month.
