Liverpool Transfer News: Danny Ings Decision Imminent, Jeremy Menez Rumours

Liverpool are "confident" of signing Burnley striker Danny Ings, according to Simon Jones of the Mail Online, and the striker's decision on where his future lies is expected shortly.

Jones suggests Ings has "promised to say by the end of the month" which club he is looking to join. David Moyes' Real Sociedad are said to retain a "glimmer of hope" in the hunt for the Englishman, who has scored 10 goals in 33 appearances along Burnley's route to Premier League relegation, per WhoScored.com.

Despite being available on a free, Ings' next suitors will still be forced to pay a sum of "around" £5 million, "possibly higher" if the case goes to a tribunal, reported by Jones. Ings is regarded as a top English talent and, having posted a commendable first season in the nation's top flight, will be expected to quickly progress.

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He has almost certainly outgrown Burnley, a club the 22-year-old joined in 2011. Ings' pace and willingness to break beyond the opposition's defence should make him attractive to Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who has struggled to find a regular goalscorer this term.

The Reds' play seems to hit a pocket of slow-motion inside the box. Players such as Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson provide plenty of energy and buzz outside the danger zone but haven't got a regular target to hit in the middle. Ings would likely be tasked with remaining on the last defender's shoulder before bursting into the area.

B/R UK's Sam Tighe believes Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette should also be considered with this in mind:

It's possible Ings may be joined on Merseyside by AC Milan forward Jeremy Menez, who has impressed in a poor team this season. Menez's agent and brother Kevin has admitted the San Siro side will likely sell if a major offer comes in, although Jeremy isn't desperate to leave, reported by David Anderson of the Mirror:

"

At the moment, we're happy with Jeremy at the club.

The club hasn't told us anything, so there's no reason to leave. Of course, we know that in modern football every player is for sale, but we haven't been contacted by anyone and Jeremy feels good at Milan, where he's had the best season of his career.

Liverpool and Monaco? These are just rumours, there are rumours around every player. A player who has scored 16 goals will be sought-after, but at the moment there's nothing concrete.

"

Menez is a versatile forward who can pop up on either flank. He's not the central striker Rodgers needs but flaunts the tricky, confident manner the Northern Irish boss loves. Menez's qualities can be seen below:

Rodgers is yet to win silverware in three seasons with Liverpool, a record that will place him under major pressure next season. The Reds' play appeared most dominant in 3-4-2-1 earlier this since, but the manager has lost confidence with this in recent times. As such, Liverpool are all but guaranteed to miss out on next season's Champions League.

A handful of experienced winners are needed to improve the squad, especially with captain Steven Gerrard leaving at the end of the campaign. Ings would add to Liverpool's exciting wave of youngsters, but Rodgers needs more up top.

The failure to spend big on a single star after Luis Suarez's departure can be marked as a key mistake this season, and if Rodgers remains trophyless for much longer, it will become a defining point in his Liverpool tenure.