Middlesbrough have opened discussions with former West Ham striker Danny Ings as they look to bolster their attacking options ahead of the 2025/26 Championship season. Ings, who was released by West Ham at the end of his contract this summer, is currently a free agent and has been identified as a top target by new Boro manager Rob Edwards.
Ings' Championship Experience
The 32-year-old forward is no stranger to the Championship, having enjoyed a prolific spell with Burnley earlier in his career. In the 2013/14 season, he scored 21 goals in the second tier, helping the Clarets win promotion to the Premier League. Since then, he has gone on to feature for several top-flight clubs, including Liverpool, Southampton, Aston Villa, and most recently West Ham United.
West Ham Struggles
His time at West Ham proved challenging. Ings struggled for regular game time under David Moyes, managing just a handful of starts over two seasons and scoring sparingly. With his contract expiring and new manager Graham Potter reshaping the squad, Ings was among those let go in June.
For Middlesbrough, the pursuit of Ings signals intent. The club narrowly missed out on a play-off spot last season and are determined to mount a stronger promotion push under Edwards. The Boro boss is said to be a long-time admirer of Ings and believes the veteran striker’s experience, intelligence, and work ethic could provide the leadership and cutting edge needed to guide a relatively young squad through the long Championship campaign.
Competition from Other Clubs
While Ings has been linked with other Championship clubs this summer, including Southampton and Watford, Middlesbrough are currently thought to be leading the race. Talks between the player's representatives and club officials are ongoing, and there is optimism on Teesside that a deal can be concluded swiftly.
The move would represent a fresh start for Ings, who is reportedly eager to find regular minutes and take on a more central role at this stage of his career. A move to the Riverside would not only provide him with the opportunity to lead the line again, but also to be part of a project with genuine promotion ambitions.
