Danny Ings’ “extortionate” wages are proving to be a stumbling block as West Ham attempt to sell the striker in January, according to HITC.
The website reported [8 January] that the Hammers are attempting to offload Ings during the January transfer window but his nearly-£150,000-a-week wage makes a short-term loan deal much more likely.
It is understood that West Ham want to bring in a brand-new striker. However, Ings would need to be sold in order to make any transfer happen.
The 31-year-old is believed to be West Ham’s highest-paid player, and due to his wages, Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Burnley are not interested in a permanent deal.
Ings has suffered a disappointing spell at West Ham since moving from Aston Villa last January. He has managed just three goals in 39 appearances, unable to register a goal yet this season.
However, the club have suffered decades of watching strikers flop at London Stadium, from the likes of Mauro Zarate and Emmanuel Emenike to Andre Ayew and Jordan Hugill.
West Ham have been without a 20-goals-a-season since Marlon Harewood scored 22 goals during the 2004/05 Championship season. Jarrod Bowen has come the closest, hitting 18 goals in all competitions last season as the Hammers lifted the Europa Conference League title.
After some incredible performances for Southampton, it was a surprise to see Ings’ form drop when he made the switch to Villa Park. But not so many were surprised when he failed to stamp his mark when West Ham signed him.
The forward’s wage is just so colossal that his departure from the club seems like an unlikely event for the foreseeable future. A loan could be the only way forward at this point, and hopefully, he can find some form.
