We are adding Origi as well, so it's two players already. And how many of our cheap punts have saved us money (acccounting for wages) and how much time haven't we wasted by loaning out and/or trying to make deals, with the likes of Lambert, Aspas, and Borini? Sure, any signing can fail, but then seeing as we have 6 good players already, it isn't a disaster if one does. We could still get by, certainly if Sturridge is fit more than he has been this season. Maybe someone from the acadamy steps up, like Ibe has recently.
And what if Ings and 'new striker' fails? Then were stuck with them over pretty long contracts and have them on our books for more time than we'd like. We failed with Balotelli AND Lambert last season, Aspas was loaned out after a year at the club, and Borini still hangs around doing practically nothing for us, after a loan, and after we wanted him to go. No signing is without risk, not even those who are 'free'. If Ings is a good player who is capable of replacing Sturridge when he is out, by all means, buy him. But please don't add him for some (often false) sense of security. We have the depth, we have talented youngsters we can play a game here and there, we have a rather settled squad, and not infinate amounts of money. Use what we have on fees and wages, on as few players as possible this summer. That would be my idea.