Aston Villa complete shock £25m transfer of Southampton striker Danny Ings on same day they signed Leon Bailey for £30m

ASTON VILLA have confirmed the signing of Danny Ings from Southampton for £25million.

The striker, 29, has put pen to paper on a three-year deal.

Villa announced the signing of Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen today and have boosted the attack again by signing Ings.

Dean Smith is splashing the cash with The Villans set to bring in £100m from Jack Grealish’s impending move to Manchester City.

But the move for Ings is somewhat of a surprise given the striker had been linked with moves to City and Manchester United earlier this summer.

He has also departed boyhood club Southampton after three years on the south coast, one of which was spent on loan from Liverpool.

He scored 41 goals in 91 games for the club and his form led to a call up to the England squad earlier this year.

Ings will now rival another England star, Ollie Watkins, for a place in Dean Smith’s starting line-up.

And the Villa boss said of the transfer: “Danny is an outstanding Premier League footballer who has scored goals wherever he has played.

“He is also a top professional with a great character who will be a leader in our squad and a role model for our rapidly developing young Academy players who are now in and around the first team. I am delighted to welcome Danny to our great Club.”

SUN BINGO WIN A SHARE OF £250k (18+ T&Cs apply)

DREAM TEAM IS BACK! SIGN UP NOW FOR THE 21/22 SEASON WITH £100,000 PRIZE POT UP FOR GRABS

Villa have been linked with a number of other players recently, though Ings arriving could mean they end their interest in Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham.

But central defender Axel Tuanzebe is said to be close to joining on loan once again, having played under Smith during the 2018-19 season.

Tuanzebe will first sign a new deal with United before moving to Villa Park.

Read our Transfer news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals