Tottenham discover Southampton decision over Danny Ings transfer after approach made
With Gareth Bale on the way back to Spurs, Jose Mourinho is desperate to add competition for striker Harry Kane - and Ings is viewed as the ideal target
Gareth Bale returning to Spurs would be 'brilliant' says pundit
Tottenham have reportedly approached Southampton over Danny Ings as Jose Mourinho targets competition for Harry Kane. Gareth Bale is closing in on a sensational return to Spurs, but Mourinho wants to further strengthen his attack as he bids to guide his side back into the Premier League top four.
The Tottenham boss is in the market for a centre-forward to provide cover for Kane, as well as to keep the England skipper on his toes.
And he has identified Southampton striker Ings as the ideal candidate to augment an attacking array which is also set to feature Bale as well as Son Heung-Min and Lucas Moura.
Ings fired 22 Premier League goals for the Saints last season - just one behind Golden Boot winner Jamie Vardy.
Southampton are trying to tie down the former Liverpool centre-forward to a new deal, as he has just two years left to run on his current contract.
Tottenham want Southampton striker Danny Ings (Image: PA)
And the south coast side have bluntly rejected Spurs' approach for the 28-year-old, according to the Evening Standard.
The publication reports that Southampton have indicated their star player will not be sold this summer, as manager Ralph Hasenhuttl bids to improve on his side's 11th-placed finish last season.
However, Spurs still hope an agreement with the player can be reached as the two sides prepare to face other in Sunday's Premier League clash at St Mary's.
Kane's position as Spurs' first-choice striker is so entrenched that some targets have reportedly been put off making the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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While Real Madrid outcast Bale was desperate to end his La Liga nightmare and return to the Premier League, other forwards might be deterred by Mourinho's defensive style of play, which has been criticised for not making the most of Kane's qualities.
But the former Manchester United and Chelsea boss insists he wants more attacking options at Tottenham, and says he does not want a player who is not up for the challenge of trying to displace Kane.
“If the striker is afraid to come to Tottenham and he is afraid of competition then I don’t want him,” Mourinho said.
“All the other top clubs have many options as centre-forwards and this question doesn’t appear.
“It looks like it’s only us where we don’t have the right to have a more balanced squad with more options. Players decide who plays, not me.
"The striker that comes here has to come with his own ambitions.”
Meanwhile, Tottenham are planning to announce the signings of Bale and left-back Sergio Reguilon as early as Friday.
The club are currently putting the finishing touches on both deals ahead of Thursday night's Europa League qualifier against Lokomotiv Plovdiv.
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