Aston Villa caught everyone off guard with the signing of Danny Ings, including competitors for his signature, says Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield.
Sporting director Johan Lange signed Ings from Southampton out of the blue during the summer transfer window after agreeing a £25m fee with the south coast club.
Prior, Tottenham had been heavily linked with a move for the 29-year-old striker, with The Telegraph previously reporting that he was a top target for their new manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
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They were beaten to the punch by Villa, though, as the swiftness of the Midlands outfit caught everyone off guard, according to Hatfield.
“The signing obviously came very quickly,” the Aston Villa journalist said in a chat with TIF. “I think it prettu much caught everyone off guard, including Villa’s competitors.
“Danny Ings is obviously a proven Premier League striker. We saw his ability against Newcastle, the way he scored that overhead kick. I mean, it’s already a goal of the season contender.”
Ings’ transfer to Villa Park catching everyone off guard is no understatement, with the man himself revealing that even his family did not know about the move until it was officially announced.
From Villa’s perspective, it is a move that looks like it is going to pay off. The England international has already netted two goals in three games, which includes that stunning strike versus Newcastle.