Transfer insider Dean Jones thinks up to seven clubs could be interested in Aston Villa striker Danny Ings in the summer if he becomes available.

The 29-year-old only joined the Midlands club last year when Dean Smith brought him to Villa Park in a £25m deal, yet his future with them does not look certain.

Why is Ings' future at Villa not certain?

First of all, Ings was not given the longest of contracts when he initially joined Villa from Southampton last summer, penning a three-year deal.

It means the Englishman will have just two years left on that deal once this summer arrives, but what will be his biggest concern right now is his role under Steven Gerrard.

Ings has started Villa's last three games on the bench and was not even brought on in the 3-3 draw with Leeds United.

As things stand, it is quite clear that Ollie Watkins is Gerrard's first-choice striker, leaving Ings, who is probably too good to be a back-up option at a club like Villa, in a tricky position.

He was quite prolific for Southampton, scoring 25 goals in all competitions back in the 2019/20 season, so is more than capable of being the main man.

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What has Jones said about Ings?

Unfortunately for Ings, though, it does not look like he will get too many chances to try and cement that spot up front at Villa. As a result, Jones thinks the former Southampton ace could become available in the summer and would not be surprised to see several teams register an interest in him.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the football journalist said: "If he did [become available], there'll be six or seven clubs after him."

Which Premier League clubs could target Ings?

Tottenham have been heavily linked with Ings before. In fact, in the last summer transfer window, The Telegraph reported that the England international was the north London club's top target before his move to Villa Park.

However, if Ings wants to be an automatic starter, then that obviously would not be a good road to choose given the presence of Harry Kane.

Staying in London, West Ham are likely to be in the market for a new striker before the start of next season after missing out on Duvan Zapata and Darwin Nunez last month, so perhaps they could be an option.

But again, the Hammers also probably cannot give Ings any guarantees, as they already have a capable centre-forward in Michail Antonio, who has scored nine goals in all competitions this term.

Still, given that Ings is proven at this level, you would expect several clubs to ask the question in the summer if his role at Villa does not increase.