Michael Ball has urged Manchester City to sign Danny Ings if it becomes clear Tottenham Hotspur are unwilling to let Harry Kane leave.

England captain Kane has been City boss Pep Guardiola's number one striker target this summer and the club reportedly made a bid of £100million last month.

However, Kane remains on Spurs' books despite publicly stating he wants to leave the club to challenge for trophies.

Ball believes Southampton's Ings would be an ideal back-up option if the Kane switch fails to materialise.

Ings, who counts Liverpool among his former clubs and has drawn interest from Spurs, scored 13 goals in 33 appearances last season.

With his £75,000-per-week contract expiring next summer and the frontman rejecting a new deal, Saints may look to cash in on Ings before the transfer window slams shut.

Ball feels, following Sergio Aguero's departure to Barcelona, Ings would bag plenty of goals as City look to secure back-to-back Premier League titles.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former City left-back Ball said: "Unfortunately, he broke down at Liverpool and I think he is desperate to go back to a big club and prove he has the talent to be part of a big team.

"It doesn't look like the Tottenham move is happening because their relationship with Southampton has soured, so that could leave the door open for Manchester City to snatch the player.

"I think he'd be a perfect fit for the way Manchester City play. He'd be a great replacement for Aguero."