City’s recruitment operation is sufficiently advanced to prepare for most eventualities, such as the idea of acquiring two new forwards. If that materialises, their options are understood to include Danny Ings of Southampton. The 28-year-old England international is into the last 18 months of his terms at St Mary’s and there has still been no breakthrough in negotiations over a fresh deal.
Scorer of 32 goals in 61 appearances since joining Southampton from Liverpool for £20 million in 2019, Ings also got off the mark for his country in October. He appears to have fully recovered from knee problems that hampered him on Merseyside and his homegrown status is another benefit.
In scenarios like these, especially in a pandemic-affected environment, City could well look to propose creative solutions — sending players in the opposite direction as part of the package, for instance — although conversations of this nature are only thought to be at a preliminary stage.