Spurs hit major obstacle in efforts to sign striker

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy may well be the busiest man in English football this summer, with plenty of incomings and outgoings promised at the club. 

Having already ticked appointing a new manager off of his to-do list, Levy can turn his attention not only to keeping hold of talisman Harry Kane, but also to acquiring new signings.

Spurs have been linked with a number of players, and are reportedly keen on singing a centre-back, midfielder and a striker before the start of next season.

One player who has been heavily linked with a move to North London is Southampton’s Danny Ings and, while Spurs were encouraged by news that the player had rejected a new contract at St. Mary’s, it appears negotiations may prove more difficult than first thought.

According to the Evening Standard, Spurs’ main obstacle in their efforts to sign the former England international is proving to be Saints’ reluctance to sell to the club, due to the soured relationship between the two clubs.

The report suggests that Saints have zero interest in selling their star striker, and have also made it obvious that Spurs are the last Premier League outfit they would wish to do business with.

Ings is eyeing another opportunity at the top table after an injury-plagued time at Anfield.

Sources at the south coast club claim that the relationship with the Lilywhites soured during the negotiations for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg last summer, with Saints taking particular offence to Levy’s hardball tactics.

Ings, 28, has scored 46 times in 100 games for the club since joining from Liverpool.

It is also suggested that Spurs view Ings as a strike partner for Kane, rather than a replacement, suggesting that they believe they can hold on to their prized asset.

New boss Nuno Esperito Santo reportedly wants to play with two strikers rather than a lone forward, and believes that Ings’ ability as a traditional number nine could compliment the style of the England captain, who frequently found himself having to drop into midfield to receive the ball last season.