Danny Ings Transfer: Tottenham a better fit than Liverpool

Danny Ings has scored seven Premier League goals in 2014/15

Michael Lintorn considers the options open to Danny Ings, judging Tottenham to be more appealing than Liverpool...

One of the most intriguing stories on this thrill-light deadline day is that of Danny Ings.

Yes, the fact that a Burnley forward with only 20 Premier League starts and seven goals' experience is a headline attraction highlights how little is going on, but his saga carries both an air of legitimacy (his contract expires in June) and drama (there are several interested parties).

Admittedly, it seems as though if he does sign for someone, it will either be a pre-contract for a foreign team (Real Sociedad, it would appear) or a cut-price deal in which he returns to Burnley on loan (Liverpool or Tottenham) to allow a Premier League suitor the jump on rival summer bidders.

So let's assess each of Ings' options...

Liverpool
9/4 on Betfair Sportsbook (by February 3)

Unless your name is Daniel Sturridge, there is nothing about Brendan Rodgers' striker signing record to inspire a prospective Red into thinking that he will make you a superstar. Fabio Borini had worked with him before so clearly expected more than eight Premier League starts in two-and-a-half years.

More recently, Rodgers has turned the 20 million double act of Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert into a duo deemed worthy of no Premier League starts since December 6. Add their tallies together and the Northern Irishman has squeezed just two goals from them in 29 top-flight appearances. They managed 27 in 67 at inferior-performing clubs in 2013/14.

Tottenham
12/1 on Betfair Sportsbook (by February 3)

Whereas Rodgers has devalued most of his attacking recruits, Mauricio Pochettino has a tendency to enhance players' price tags. Liverpool paid 29 million for Lambert and Adam Lallana based on how they had performed in the Argentine's Southampton side.

Pochettino got 15 goals last term out of another forward who made his name at Burnley in Jay Rodriguez, while he has overseen the transformation of Harry Kane from guy who scored twice in 15 outings for then-Championship club Leicester two years ago to 20-goal-in-23-start sensation.

Factor in the uncertain futures of Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado and Ings could be fairly confident of game-time at White Hart Lane.

Real Sociedad

Talk of Ings penning a pre-contract agreement to join David Moyes' Real Sociedad in the summer came from nowhere, but is very interesting given the continual criticism that young English talents are too scared to test themselves abroad.

However, if the 22-year-old were to make that move, it is important that he isn't doing so solely due to the Moyes factor as the coach is only committed to the Basque club until the end of 2015/16, while it is also the case that Tottenham and Liverpool are more likely to play in Europe next season.

Burnley

It appears increasingly probable that Ings will see out the campaign with the Clarets, yet nobody should fault him for waiting until they have secured their Premier League place before pondering an extension for as long as they are 1.558/15 to be relegated.

Similarly, if the opportunity to move to Tottenham or Liverpool did arise, especially if it is at the end of 2014/15, it would be difficult to begrudge him after his role in Burnley's promotion and impact this season.

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