Burnley return unlikely for Danny Ings as Liverpool exit nears

But I understand a move for the 25-year-old is unlikely, as Sean Dyche continues to pursue another former Clarets forward, in West Brom’s Jay Rodriguez.

It emerged on Tuesday that Ings will be allowed to leave Anfield as he looks for more regular first team opportunities, and Burnley were instantly installed as favourites for his next club by bookmakers., with Crystal Palace, Newcastle United and West Ham also linked with the former Bournemouth man.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp would prefer to hold on to Ings, but, after being left out of the Reds’ squad for the Champions League Final with Real Madrid in Kiev – with youngster Dominic Solanke preferred on the bench, Ings has decided he needs to move on after three injury-hit years at Anfield.

Ings joined Liverpool from Burnley for a record tribunal-set fee of £6.5m, with £1.5m in add ons, after letting his contract run down in the summer of 2015.

He scored three goals in eight appearances for the Reds, before making his England debut as a substitute in Lithuania in October that year.

But, upon returning to his club, he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury, before, in November 2016, a second serious knee injury ruled him out for most of his second season at Anfield.

He fought his way back, and ended a 930-day wait for a Liverpool goal when he scored against West Brom in April, going on to make 14 appearances for the Reds last season, featuring as a substitute in the semi-final first leg win over Roma at Anfield,

He has spent time with a personal trainer in Los Angeles this summer to make sure he is in the best possible shape ahead of pre-season, but while stranger things have happened, Burnley doesn’t look to be his next destination.

Meanwhile, after Burnley had a combined £25m offer for Rodriguez and centre back Craig Dawson turned down by West Brom, the former Rochdale defender has not travelled to Portugal for the Baggies’ pre-season tour, and is expected to be disciplined by the club.

West Ham have also had a £12m offer for Dawson rejected, and the 28-year-old – whose wages have halved upon relegation – is reportedly frustrated at the club’s stubborn stance over agreeing a move.