Moyes wants Ings to begin British trend of Spain switches at Sociedad

With Burnley boss Sean Dyche joining the tabloids in touting star striker Danny Ings for a senior England call-up next month, Real Sociedad manager David Moyes is urging British players to follow his example and move abroad.

Former Manchester United and Everton gaffer Moyes has now had 15 games at the helm of the Basque Country clubs across all competitions and is now occupying a spot in La Liga’s mid-table. This relative comfort, with Sociedad four points and six places above the drop, is something he hopes to use to lure talent to Spain.

Of Ings, Moyes said: “Danny is someone who I think has done really well, and who anyone would like to have. Would we be able to attract him here? I don’t know.”

England Under-21 international Ings is out of contract at Turf Moor come the summer and, despite knowing that, the Clarets opted to keep hold of their prized attacking asset. As Burnley are odds-on 1/2 joint-favourites with Coral to be relegated, it is highly unlikely he will commit his future to the Turf Moor team.

Sociedad have a small tradition of British-born players turning out for them, with Liverpool legend John Aldridge and current Nottingham Forest anchorman David Vaughan being notable examples. Moyes wants others to follow in their footsteps.

“There’s players there who I think it would help them,” he added. “It would help their profile and it would be great for many of them to come and play in Spain. The players in England are equally as good as those in Spain.”

Moyes has also been linked with bringing compatriot Charlie Adam to Sociedad, with him no longer in Mark Hughes’ XI at Stoke City (odds-on at 8/13 for a top 10 finish). The Potters midfielder has fallen behind Bojan Krkic, currently injured, and Stephen Ireland in the Britannia Stadium pecking order.

It remains to be seen whether the likes of Adam and Ings, who is 11/4 to finish bottom of the Premier League with Burnley, can be attracted to Moyes’ Sociedad project.