MIDDLESBROUGH have spoken with Danny Ings and his representatives, although the striker is now one of several attacking possibilities under consideration.
Ings, a 32-year-old former England international with substantial Premier League and Championship experience, is now a free agent after being released from West Ham United at the end of last season.
The former Burnley, Liverpool, Southampton, and Aston Villa forward spent two and a half years with West Ham after arriving to the London Stadium for £15 million in January 2023.
He made only one Premier League start for the Hammers last season, although he came off the bench 14 times, scoring in a 1-1 draw with Fulham.
He was not offered a new contract at the end of the season and has spent the previous few weeks talking with interested teams about a potential trade.
Middlesbrough is one of those teams, with senior officials meeting with Ings to determine his anticipated pay expectations prior to more formal negotiations.
The talks have not yet progressed, but the Teessiders are interested, as they try to improve their attacking ranks this summer.
Emmanuel Latte Lath moved for Atlanta United in January for a fee of £22.5 million and was not replaced permanently. Kelechi Iheanacho joined Boro on loan from Sevilla in the second half of last season, but the club has no plans to sign him permanently. Josh Coburn has also departed Millwall, having signed on a permanent basis earlier this summer.
Wrexham are one of several Championship clubs believed to have held conversations with Ings, who is eager to determine his future as soon as possible.
Boro are engaged on several transfer fronts, including making a formal bid for Blackburn full-back Callum Brittain.
Brittain, who recently entered the final year of his contract at Ewood Park, skipped Blackburn’s first pre-season friendly over the weekend after expressing his wish to speak with Boro.
The Teessiders have also had excellent negotiations with Hull City about defender Alfie Jones.
Boro are said to be long-time admirers of Jones, who has been a steady and constant presence in the heart of Hull’s defence for several years. Last season, City’s vice captain started 37 out of 46 Championship games.
Hull are aware of Boro’s interest, and while talks are still in the early stages, a £2 million deal has been mooted, and the Tigers, who are now subject to a transfer embargo that they are appealing against, are unlikely to reject an offer in that range.
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