Cherries: Premier League Fulham could launch Ings bid

01 June 2011 07:00
Cherries' hot prospect Danny Ings could be in line for a dream move to the Premier League providing the price was right.[LNB] Daily Echo sources claim Fulham are leading the chase for the teenage striker, with at least one other top-flight club believed to be tracking him.[LNB] Ings is understood to have impressed Fulham representatives when they watched Cherries last season to keep tabs on loan striker Lauri Dalla Valle.[LNB] And with the transfer window now open, the Cottagers could be ready to test Cherries' resolve by tabling a bid for the homegrown youngster.[LNB] Ings shot to prominence during the second half of last season when he netted seven times to help Cherries reach the League One play-offs.[LNB] His stock rose further when he also starred on the big stage and scored his eighth goal during Cherries' epic play-off semi-final at Huddersfield.[LNB] The Winchester-born 18-year-old, released by Southampton when he was a schoolboy, only graduated from the Cherries youth ranks a year ago when he signed a short-term deal.[LNB] However, both Eddie Howe and Lee Bradbury soon realised he had the potential to make the grade and tied him to longer contracts, his current one running until 2014.[LNB] At the start of last month, Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell steadfastly insisted the club did not need to sell any of its prized assets during the close season.[LNB] But although Mitchell maintains the club's finances are far healthier than they were a year ago, the board would be hard pushed to turn down a significant offer for Ings and subsequently stand in his way should a Premier League club back up any interest.[LNB] However, to tempt the Cherries board and prise away Ings, any potential suitor would probably have to shell out in excess of the club record £800,000 received for Joe Parkinson and Matt Holland.[LNB] When contacted by the Daily Echo last night, chairman Mitchell confirmed the club had received no firm bids for any of its players.[LNB] Asked to comment on the speculation surrounding Ings, Mitchell replied: We don't have to sell, that is a fact.[LNB] Danny is only 18 and didn't look out of place mixing it with some good players last season. In the current climate, he would be worth more than £1m.[LNB] If he were to score 20 goals for us next season, and there is every chance he will, he would be a £2m player.[LNB] We have got more than one player who would be worth more than £1m.[LNB] Echo sources also understand Cherries could be forced to fend off interest in skipper Jason Pearce, with Championship new boys Peterborough ready to make a move.[LNB]

Source: Bournemouth_Echo