Kevin Phillips is convinced that Manchester City will abandon their pursuit of Harry Kane over his transfer fee and move for Danny Ings instead.
Kane has told Tottenham he wants to leave and City has been tipped to become the club that wins the race for his signature.
The England captain remains one of the best strikers in the world and City needs to replace Sergio Aguero with a striker of his class.
However, it doesn’t seem like it would happen for City as Tottenham looks set to demand top dollar to be separated from their key man.
Football Insider reported earlier in the month that City has now become contenders for the signature of Ings and former Sunderland star Phillips, believes a move for the Southampton striker is more realistic now.
This is because Kane isn’t getting any younger and City will consider his long-term value and feel he is simply too expensive for them.
“It won’t happen now, which is huge for Tottenham” he told Football Insider.
“Guardiola has already come out and said that’s too much for Man City to pay. So I’d be surprised now if Kane does end up going to Man City.
“They can afford it but he’s not going to be an asset that in four or five years you get your money back for him. So you can sort of write that money off.
“Guardiola’s has already shown that he’s not fussed about playing with an out-and-out striker.
“But Danny Ings is obviously a much cheaper option. Would he give you the goals that Harry Kane would? No, but he’s a good player and he’s shown what he can do with Southampton.
“If he was to go to Man City then he’d get more chances. He’s a goalscorer and he works his socks off. We know City like to press and he can do that.”