Kerry Mayodi
Aston Villa have announced the surprise signing of Southampton forward Danny Ings as they are set to accept Manchester City’s £100 million offer for their captain Jack Grealish.
The 29-year-old Englishman had one year left in his contract with the Saints. He has signed a three-year contract with Villa for an undisclosed transfer fee believed to be around £30 million.
Ings has scored 46 goals in his 100 appearances for Southampton since joining the club in the summer of 2018 from Premier League giants Liverpool, initially on loan.
He has also been capped three times by The Three Lions, scoring one goal in a friendly match against Wales last October.
Villa boss Dean Smith was full of praise for the new signing describing him as an outstanding Premier League footballer who has scored goals wherever he has played.
“Danny is an outstanding Premier League footballer who has scored goals wherever he has played.
“He is also a top professional with a great character who will be a leader in our squad and a role model for our rapidly developing young Academy players who are now in and around the first team.
“I am delighted to welcome Danny to our great Club.”
Ings joins Leon Bailey, Emi Buendia and Ashley Young in moving to Villa Park this summer.
Bailey joins the club from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen and he had this to say:
“For me, it’s a great club with a big history and it’s the right step for me. I’m excited to get started,” he told the club website.
“It’s always been somewhere that I’ve wanted to play. I feel like now is the right time and I’m excited about it.
“Hopefully I can do what I do best and have a great season in the Premier League.”
When asked to tell Villa fans what type of player he is, Bailey said:
“I like to give assists and I like to score, that’s always been me,” he added. “I like to score and be the one who gives the pass in a decisive moment and not be selfish.
