Former Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has suggested that Danny Ings may have fallen out with key figures at Aston Villa.

The lowdown

Football Insider reported late last month that the Villans are willing to entertain offers for the 29-year-old in the summer transfer window. A source at the club told the outlet that Steven Gerrard is prepared to sell the £120,000-per-week Englishman to free up some funds for a top-class replacement.

Villa paid £25m to sign Ings from Southampton just 10 months ago, when Dean Smith was in charge in the Midlands.

The striker made 22 Premier League starts and a further eight substitute appearances in what may yet prove to be his only season at the club.

The latest

Speaking to Football Insider, Kenny hinted that a rift may have formed behind the scenes.

The former Republic of Ireland international said that the development was a 'surprise' and isn't sure whether Villa will be able to land a significant upgrade on Ings, who is now valued at £19.8m by Transfermarkt.

Kenny said: "You wonder if something has happened behind closed doors if he has been transfer listed. They have already signed a number of players and I'm sure they have the money to go out and get a few more.

"Who that will be, I don't know. No matter what happens, they will want to get someone in before they let him go.

"You could do a lot worse than Ings so it is a bit of a surprise, that one."

The verdict

It's probably fair to say that Ings' exploits in 2021/22 were a little underwhelming. He only managed to score seven top-flight goals, having averaged 13.6 per season across his three years at Southampton.

However, the 29-year-old did record six assists, the joint-most in the Villa ranks.

Also, there were promising signs when he was deployed in a front two alongside Ollie Watkins, with Noel Whelan suggesting that the 'phenomenal finisher' was 'flourishing' next to a strike partner.

Perhaps Ings deserves one more year to prove his worth at Villa Park off the back of a full pre-season with Gerrard.

In other news, read this significant Luis Suarez transfer claim.