Leeds United will certainly be in the market for new blood in the January transfer window after slipping alarmingly down the Championship table following a wretched run of results.
The team need a new centre-back and left-back after failing to adequately cover the two defensive positions in the summer window.
But United’s priority should be to push through a loan deal for Liverpool striker Danny Ings. He is good enough to rip it up in the second tier and spearhead the team to their pre-season stated aim of a top-six finish that would guarantee a place in the play-offs.
Leeds have been linked with what would be a sensational move for the forward, and Bet Victor priced the Yorkshire giants at 4/1 on Tuesday afternoon to land the forward, 25, before 3 February of next year.
Ings’ two-year spell at Anfield has been ruined by two serious knee injuries and he has appeared for only 17 minutes in the senior side in the last 12 months.
But he is now fully fit and showed on Sunday that the touch that brought him 43 goals in 130 matches remains fully intact with a remarkable four goals and two assists in Liverpool Under-23s’ 7-0 hiding of Bristol City.
His Liverpool career has not got going due to injury and horrible luck but he is still young enough and, crucially, good enough to make a big impact in the Premier League.
Joining Leeds in January would suit both parties to a tee. It would enable Ings to play regularly and rediscover his mojo, and would provide United with a top-class forward who could form a formidable alliance with Samuel Saiz and destroy Championship defences.
Ings is contracted to Liverpool until 2020 and it has been reported that he could be allowed to leave on loan in January in order to build up his fitness and play first-team football.
Leeds would need to present a strong case to Ings, as well as negotiating a deal that suits Liverpool.
The Daily Star report that Ings’ current deal is worth £60,000-a-week, and the Yorkshire giants would need to pay a significant portion of his wages to make it happen.
However, owner Andrea Radrizzani and director of football Victor Orta showed with the Pierre-Michel Lasogga loan that they are able to skilfully negotiate a loan deal for a top-flight forward on a mega salary. Leeds are reportedly contributing £15,000-a-week towards the German’s £50,000-a-week wage.
Ings is an upgrade on Lasogga and has a point to prove. It could be a match made in heaven for Leeds.