Agbonlahor shares verdict on Danny Ings quitting Aston Villa after £30m source reveal
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Danny Ings could be let go by Aston Villa if Unai Emery has the "backing" to bring in his own forward this month.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, warned that it will cost "a lot of money" to find a forward as good as the 30-year-old.
According to talkSPORT's Alex Crook (3 January), Aston Villa are willing to listen to offers for Ings this month amid interest from Southampton.
He claimed the Midlands giants are looking to raise funds for a potential forward signing of their own.
Sources told this site on Saturday (31 December) that Aston Villa are targeting Villarreal star Nicolas Jackson in the January window - but the Spanish side are demanding that his £30million release clause be met.
Ings came off the bench on Wednesday (4 January) to score a vital equaliser in Villa's derby showdown with Wolves.
He has scored seven goals across all competitions this term.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “It’s time for Emery to decide which of these strikers has a future in the next few seasons.
“He might decide he only wants Watkins going forward.
“It might come down to what Emery has lined up to come in. There’s no point letting any strikers go unless you’re bringing another one in.
“We know Emery wants to put his own stamp on this team, and he’ll be looking at Spain to do that.
“But it’s going to cost a lot of money to find a striker as good as Danny Ings in January.
“If he’s got the backing, and he finds the right player – then I could see Ings leaving. But not before that happens.”