Manchester City have been handed a huge boost in their reported hopes of signing Danny Ings this summer after he rejected a new contract at Southampton.

What's the word?

As per The Athletic, Ings has rejected a new four-year deal at the South Coast club, which could well force Ralph Hasenhuttl's side to cash in on the England international this summer, or risk losing him for nothing at the end of next season.

The former Liverpool man was linked with a move to Manchester City by Sky Sports earlier this year, as he was touted as a potential replacement for outgoing legend Sergio Aguero, and if City retain an interest in signing the Southampton man, then a move this summer definitely now looks like it could be on the cards.

Would he be a good signing for Guardiola?

Although Ings perhaps wouldn't be as glamourous a signing as Harry Kane or Erling Haaland, Guardiola suggested recently that City were being priced out of a move for a striker this summer, and Ings could represent a much cheaper option who is almost guaranteed to score goals in the Premier League.

Injuries meant he managed just 12 goals in a poor Southampton side last season but his 22 goals in the top-flight in the 2019/20 campaign saw him finish as the joint-second top scorer, which suggests that he could certainly be a good fit at the Etihad, where he'd be surrounded by better players.

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Eddie Howe was full of praise for the striker's performances in the 19/20 season, saying:

“The most impressive thing about Danny is, of course, he’s an outstanding player.

“Technically he’s very good, plays with real intelligence and the way he’s come back from his disappointments, the injury setbacks he’s had, the way he’s fought back and kept his mental strength has been hugely impressive.”

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City need a goalscorer and given that Ings is valued at £19.8m by Transfermarkt and has only one year left on his contract, he could be a much cheaper alternative for Guardiola's side this summer and given his record in the top-flight, this seems like a deal that sporting director Txiki Begiristain should definitely be looking to complete.

And, in other news... Guardiola dealt transfer blow with "different level" beast, City fans should be fuming