Danny Ings, out of contract in the summer, could reject the chance to link up with Liverpool in favour of heading to Spain with Real Sociedad.
The England Under-21 international is now in the final six months of his existing deal with Burnley, who have resisted the temptation to cash in on him during the January window as they look to stave off relegation from the Premier League. Sean Dyche’s team lost 2-0 at Sunderland on Saturday, but with every other team in the bottom six losing, they remain one place outside the drop zone.
Liverpool had hoped to sign Ings for around £4million this month and were prepared to loan him back to the Clarets for the rest of the season, and whilst this may have been an interesting proposition for the Turf Moor club, such a move is against Premier League rules. So Brendan Rodgers will have to resume his bid in the summer, but it appears as though he could yet miss out.
It has been reported that the 22-year-old striker has already agreed a pre-contract agreement with Real Sociedad, who are coached by former Everton and Manchester United boss David Moyes. However, this has not been confirmed by either club, and considering the relationship they have witch each other, the player would almost certainly have informed them had he made a decision.
And according to the Liverpool Echo, the former Bournemouth striker would prefer a move to Anfield over the La Liga side. And with Mario Balotelli failing to impress since his £16million move from Milan in the summer, and Rickie Lambert also struggling to have an impact since arriving from Southampton, Ings would fancy his chances of partnering Daniel Sturridge in the starting XI.
Burnley, meanwhile, look set to battle it out with Norwich City for the services of Graham Dorrans. The Clarets tabled a £3million bid for the West Bromwich Albion midfielder on deadline day, but they have since been outbid by Norwich City. Although a move to the latter would see the player drop down a division, he may feel this the better option as they bid to promotion to the top-flight.
