Southampton sign Armstrong as Ings' replacement - 12-times increase in market value

Just one week after Danny Ings has joined Aston Villa, Southampton have signed Adam Armstrong as his replacement. The 24-year-old arrives from Championship side Blackburn Rovers and has signed a four-year contract. According to a report by The Athletic, the Saints will pay in the region of £15 million for the forward. 

“I spoke to the gaffer, and it just seemed perfect, and I’ve touched on it before—I’m over the moon that I’m here, and hopefully I can kick-start my career," Armstrong said in a club statement. “I had a chat with him, and he just explained how he wants me to play, how his team play, and that was a major key of coming here.”

Southampton's manager Ralph Hasenhüttl was also happy about the transfer. “Adam was a big target for us this summer, so we are very pleased to have added him to the squad, especially as there was a lot of interest in him from other clubs too," Hasenhüttl said. “He is at a good stage of his career for him to be coming here. He is a young, dynamic player who has developed well so far and already has good experience, as well as an impressive goalscoring record, and I believe we can now help him realize even more of his potential."

Since his transfer from Newcastle United to Blackburn in January 2018, Armstrong has scored 64 goals and 19 assists in 160 games. His market value increased from €1.5 million to now €18 million, which made him the most valuable forward in the Championship.