Club mulls over move for West Ham striker Ings

MIDDLESBROUGH have held positive discussions with Danny Ings over potentially joining the club - though for the time being, the veteran striker is just one of the options being explored.

- By CRAIG JOHNS [e-mail] @craig_johns

Centre forward is one of the key areas Boro wish to strengthen ahead of the new season as Rob Edwards hopes to make progress on the club's ambitions to build their way back to the Premier League. It follows January's club-record sale of Emmanuel Latte Lath, and the subsequent failed loan move of Kelechi Iheanacho.

Ings is one target being considered and is available on a free transfer after being released by West Ham this summer.

Boro have held positive talks with the player and his representatives to ascertain the kind of numbers that would be required to entice him to Teesside.

Ings turns 33 this month but has been a Premier League stalwart since his last season in the Championship in 2014 when he netted 21 league goals to help Burnley earn promotion to the top flight.

As well as spells at Liverpool, Southampton and Aston Villa, he's spent the last three years at West Ham.