Manchester City set to compete with Liverpool for Danny Ings

Manchester City have stepped up their interest for Burnley striker Danny Ings in a bid to fill their homegrown quota, according to the Daily Mail.

City are woefully short in the homegrown department and previous signings of Jack Rodwell, Scott Sinclair and others have not worked well for the reigning Champions.

However, Manuel Pellegrini believes that Ings has the class and the nature to thrive at City, who recently bought Wilfried Bony from Swansea to boost their attack.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are also interested in the striker and were reported to be favourites for his signature in the summer.

Brendan Rodgers is known for his ability to nurture young talent, having raised the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Phillippe Coutinho. Ings was being touted as a likely replacement for Mario Balotelli, who is expected to leave in the summer after failing to live up to expectations at Anfield.

But with City's intervention, the scene is quite ominous for the Reds, with Liverpool unlikely to match City's wages, given their financial fire power. Ings has been in brilliant form this season, scoring nine goals for the relegation faced club and is almost confirmed to leave, as he refused to sign a new contract.

Tottenham were also interested in the player, but rescinded their interest following the upsurge of Harry Kane, who has taken the club by storm.

Now, any deal is likely to depend on Liverpool's performance in the league and whether they are able to win a Champions League spot.

Ings is likely to receive a better deal at City, but Liverpool are almost guaranteed to provide him with more game time, given their paucity of resources, unlike City, who have a strike force of the likes of Edin Dzeko, Stevan Jovetic, Bony and Sergio Aguero.