DANNY Ings has reportedly turned down a new contract at Saints, according to the Athletic.

The media outlet claim the England international had been presented with a fresh four-year deal, which would have made him the best paid player in the club’s history.

The reported news means Saints could either be faced with a scenario of having to sell their star striker, or risk losing him on a free when his current contract runs out next summer.

The Athletic claim Ings’s new contract “remains on the table and barring an approach that is too good to refuse, Southampton are content to let Ings see out his deal”.

Asked at Saints’ online fans forum in May whether Ings would sign a new contract at the club, chief executive Martin Semmens replied: “I think he probably will.

“Like I’ve said all along, Danny’s been really open and clear with his communication with the club and what he wants to do.

“He’s working hard for us.

“In the end, as I’ve said every time, they are not robots, they don’t have to do what we tell them to do.

“The players are free to make their own choices and Danny will make his own choice but, if you ask me now, I think Danny will be with us next season.

“We hope he will commit to the club and be with us until the end of his career and beyond. That’s what I think will happen, but you never know in football.

“I always say try and remember they have their own desires and their own wishes and they are not just there as robots.

“What I can tell you, and Ralph (Hasenhuttl) will say the same, is that Danny has never done anything but be incredibly hardworking and committed to this club.”

Ings has played 100 times for Saints, having initially signed on loan from Liverpool in 2018 and then made the move permanent.