Alan Hutton has tipped Tottenham to make a move for Danny Ings this summer after he rejected a new contract from Southampton.
However, the former Tottenham man isn’t convinced that Ings would want to join if Harry Kane remains at Spurs.
Ings has turned down a new long-term contract from The Saints that would have made him their highest ever earner, according to David Ornstein.
The striker reportedly wants to test himself at a big club again after spending time at Liverpool earlier in his career.
He has been linked with a move to Tottenham before now as a replacement for Kane or as a backup to the Euro 2020 hero.
Kane could be sold this summer after asking to leave, but if no club can meet Tottenham’s asking price he will remain with them for another season, at least.
Hutton believes that Ings would have no problem joining Tottenham if Kane leaves, but he would not want the transfer if he has to play second-fiddle to the England captain.
Hutton told Football Insider, when asked about Tottenham signing Ings: “It’s an interesting one. I mean, I think if Kane goes, they would be all over it like a rash.
“It would fit the wage bill, I don’t think there’d be a problem. The transfer fee, I don’t think there would be a problem there either.
“He’s is a proven goalscorer, we saw what he did last season. He’s already been at a big club in Liverpool. I know it didn’t go totally to plan but he had a serious injury.
“You have to mark that on the board as not helping his development. I think they would jump at the chance.
“My only issue would be if Kane does stay, does Ings want to come to Tottenham to sit on the bench? That’s the problem for me. He’s done that at Liverpool, he doesn’t want to do that again.
“I think he’s happy at Southampton. He plays week in, week out, that’s where you see the best of him and his sharpness. He’s an absolute nuisance for defenders.
“I think he’d want to go somewhere where – nobody’s guaranteed to play every game – he’s going to play his part.”
All day long I’d have him