Southampton have narrowly beaten the Premier League transfer deadline to sign Liverpool striker Danny Ings on an initial season-long loan deal.
It had appeared that the Saints would not be adding further face to Mark Hughes squad until news of a last-minute deal for the 26-year-old, who the club also have an option to buy next summer should they wish.
Rumours of a move for Ings or Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck were strong as the club looked to add competition to their selection of forwards, and the Liverpool man will now join Charlie Austin, Manolo Gabbiadini, Shane Long and Sam Gallagher as options for Mark Hughes.
This deal marks Saints’ fifth signing of the summer following the captures of midfielder Stuart Armstrong, winger Mohamed Elyounoussi, Centre-Back Jannik Vestergaard and goalkeeper Angus Gunn.
Additions to the squad at St Mary’s were desperately needed after a narrow escape from relegation last season, and it can certainly be argued that the team is much better equipped ahead of the new campaign.
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Since joining Jurgen Klopp’s side for around £7m in the summer of 2015, Ings has been plagued by injuries and is somewhat unlucky to have his opportunities at Anfield cut short because of fitness issues.
His spell at Burnley proved his ability as a useful striker in the Championship and he then made the step up with them to the Premier League in 2014/15, scoring 11 valuable goals despite the Clarets being relegated.
Southampton’s newest recruit has been a Saints fan since he was young having grown up close by in Winchester, and he will hope that he can translate his passion for the club into performances.
23 appearances came for him in 2017/18 in a variety of competitions with his role largely being as an impact sub. He now moves to the South Coast hoping for an increase in game time and a bigger part to play for Mark Hughes.
The last time Saints made a move on deadline day was when they completed a double swoop for Sadio Mane and Toby Alderweireld in 2014.