OPINION
Southampton attacker Danny Ings can pour salt into Newcastle United’s wounds with ease when the two Premier League sides meet on Saturday after Rafa Benitez failed to sign him in the summer.
The forward, who earns £75,000-a-week (Source: Spotrac), joined the Saints in the summer from Liverpool on an initial season-long loan ahead of £20million deal (Source: Sky) going through on July 1st to see them permanently own him.
However Ings was constantly linked with a move to the Magpies during the summer window ahead of ending up at St Mary’s.
The Times reported in July that the Magpies had made a bid to sign the 26-year-old attacker, while the Northern Echo claimed in August that the club were discussing a loan-to-buy deal with the Reds.
Yet for whatever reason, probably his wages and his price tag, the Magpies missed out on him and welcomed the likes of Salomon Rondon to boost their firepower.
The Venezuelan forward hasn’t featured in the Magpies’ last three games due to injury and is yet to score a Premier League goal for them when he has been fit enough to play.
Given that Ings has managed to score three goals in eight league appearances for the Saints this season, then as it stands it looks like Mark Hughes’ side made a good move getting the 26-year-old.
Ings may have not scored in his last three outings, but Saints fans are no doubt confident that he can score if given the right opportunity as they have witnessed him first hand scoring goals in England’s top-division.
The Magpies are without a win this season and are feeling very low as they’re bottom on the Premier League, yet if Ings scores against them on Saturday it will be like him pouring salt in Newcastle United’s wounds, especially if it hands the Saints victory.
Hughes’ team are struggling just like the Magpies this season so Benitez will feel his side can get their first win on the board when the two face off.
So it will hurt if they win but given that Ings could have easily ended up at St James Park this summer, then the 26-year-old could easily make the result feel even worse by showing the Magpies what they missed out on.
