Aston Villa striker Danny Ings is available for transfer this summer, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 29-year-old has been linked with Brighton and former club Southampton, and Jones thinks both sides would suit him.

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What is the latest news involving Ings?

90min recently reported that Villa are open to offers for Ings despite having only signed him from the Saints last year in a £25m deal.

The above claim has been refuted by Sky Sports; however, the Englishman's future looks far from certain after a season where he played second fiddle to Ollie Watkins, while the Villans have also been linked with other strikers like Luis Suarez.

If he does leave Villa Park, in terms of potential destinations, 90min has mentioned the Amex and St Mary's.

Ings, of course, thrived during his time at Southampton, scoring 46 goals in 100 appearances, so a move back there would be logical.

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What has Jones said about Ings' Villa future?

Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that Ings is available and there is a good chance that he does depart the Midlands club in the window.

Speaking to GMS, the transfer insider said: "Ings is linked with Brighton and Southampton and he is available, so now it's going to be about finding the right buyer and the right price.

"I think Brighton and Southampton are both clubs that would suit Danny Ings on a football level, if nothing else, and I do think that there's a strong chance he ends up leaving."

How did Ings perform in the 2021/22 season?

He had some good moments, like the bicycle kick he scored against Newcastle United at the start of the season. However, overall, it was a largely inconsistent campaign for the England international.

In total, he made 22 league starts, while Watkins made 33, and registered seven goals - four less than his striker rival.

Ultimately, Villa fans did not get to see the sort of form Ings showed back in the 2019/20 season, where he scored an impressive 25 goals in all competitions. And with Watkins around, they may never.

When you take all of the above into account, you can see why both parties would consider a split this summer.

A lot may depend on whether Villa are able to sign a new centre-forward, however. If not, then Steven Gerrard is surely going to want to keep Ings around, though that may not be a straightforward task if he cannot guarantee the former Southampton man more starts in the upcoming season.