Ings swap may be the perfect answer for West Ham –

Much has been made of Southampton’s interest in West Ham midfielder Flynn Downes. The lifelong Hammer is frequently mentioned as a makeweight in any potential James Ward Prowse transfer. However a recent suggestion that a Danny Ings swap deal might be the better option is an interesting one.

Ings scored in last night’s friendly win against Boreham Wood as he partnered Gianluca Scamacca in attack. But does anyone seriously expect David Moyes to play with two strikers in competitive games next season? The simple answer is no.

That outcome leads to the obvious conclusion that West Ham will once again play with a singular striker. Unfortunately for Ings, this is a system which he is not suited to play. As he demonstrated last night, our £15 million January signing is a fine finisher. However, as Michail Antionio succinctly put it . . . “Strikers feed on scraps under David Moyes“.

Whilst Antonio’s comments may have been poorly timed, they were accurate. In many respects Divin Mubama is more suited to the current Hammers system than Danny Ings. It’s difficult to imagine a scenario where Ings is a regular starter next season, which was surely his reason for leaving Aston Villa.

Swap might be best for both parties

There may be a scenario whereby a Ward Prowse/Ings swap deal could be mutually beneficial for all concerned. Southampton would aquire a forward capable of firing them to promotion whilst West Ham would obtain their key target without maximum outlay.

Any such deal would also allow more of the mythical Declan Rice money to be invested by Tim Steidten. It would also mitigate the financial depreciation associated with signing a player approaching their 30’s.

Perhaps I’m wrong and Ings is set for a starring role at the London Stadium this season. But it would take a monumental tactical switch from David Moyes for that to happen.