Southampton hit the jackpot in signing Danny Ings from Liverpool back in 2019, signing the striker for £20m after injuries hampered his chances of success on Merseyside, and while his goal threat is missed at St. Mary's to this day, recent exploits suggest the deal was heaven-sent in cashing in for the maximum.

After scoring 46 goals and supplying ten assists from 100 appearances for Saints, Ings was granted a £25m departure to Aston Villa in 2021, and ever since, he has failed to replicate the feats that left him in eminent standing among the expansive crop of Premier League strikers.

During his stay at Villa Park, the 30-year-old only scored 14 goals from 52 outings, despite the Villans finishing higher than Saints and out-scoring them last season.

The 5 foot 10 gem was shipped out to West Ham United for £15m last month, and despite being in the early stages of his spell with the Irons, the nomadic marksman has failed to score or assist from his first four outings, yet to receive a match rating higher than 6.7, as per Sofascore, in east London.

The innate predatory instinct will seemingly never abandon Ings, once heralded as "dangerous" by his former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, but there is no questioning the most prolific and fruitful period of his professional career stays with Southampton, something that appears set to remain intact as his value diminishes further and further.

How much is Danny Ings worth now?

At the height of his powers, according to Football Transfers, Ings was valued at £23m, but now, just three years on, he is considered a £10m player.

And considering former Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl sold him for £25m, his current value now represents a whopping 60% decrease, which is alarming considering he is still only 30.

Frankly, Ings should still be firing at full throttle, but having started just eight of his 22 Premier League matches this season across two outfits, he is clearly not entrusted to the same level that was once placed in his powers.

As per Whoscored, the former Burnley star has failed to record the same level of striking output since departing Hampshire, where he was a thorn in his opponent's sides in averaging at least two shots per match, also only recording a better average rating across two Carabao Cup matches with Aston Villa this season.

As such, while Ings was a resounding success on the south coast, his decline in value over the past few seasons is evidence that Southampton perhaps banked on the forward at the opportune moment.

Current fortunes suggest a first-rate striker would be a coveted asset for the struggling outfit, but Ings might not be the same vibrant presence he once was, and a recent away victory over Chelsea offers hope for the remainder of the campaign.