SAINTS' summer spending spree will not extend to the purchase of Liverpool striker and local lad Danny Ings, the Daily Echo understands.

Usually the flow of players runs firmly north from St Mary's to Anfield, but reports have spread recently that Saints were preparing a bid to bring Ings back down south. 

Those reports, however, are understood to be wide of the mark, at least at this stage, with Saints keeping their cards close to their chest regarding their next move in the transfer window. 

Mark Hughes has already overseen a £51m spree, with Stuart Armstrong, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Angus Gunn and Jannik Vestergaard all arriving this summer. 

Striker Ings, who Liverpool have slapped a £20m price tag on, was born in Winchester and grew up in Netley dreaming of playing for Saints while kicking a ball with his dad on Netley Recreation Ground.

While a pupil at Netley Abbey Primary School, he was rejected by Saints after being told he was too small. 

Ings was schooled at Hamble Community Sports College and a scholarship took him to Brockenhurst College after impressing in a trial for AFC Bournemouth in his last year at school. 

The 25-year-old went onto play for Cherries and Burnley, before joing Liverpool, who have now made him available for transfer, in 2015.

However, it seems Ings will not be making a move to his hometown club this summer. Crystal Palace are said to be interested in bringing him to Selhurst Park.