The striker, 25, has suffered two serious knee injuries since moving to Liverpool but he is now fighting fit.
The ex-Burnley man claimed last week he is in ‘the best shape of my career’ following months of gruelling rehabilitation.
First-team opportunities at Anfield are limited, however. He is behind Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Daniel Sturridge and even Dominic Solanke in the pecking order.
That hasn’t gone unnoticed by Stoke boss Mark Hughes, who is confident of wrapping up a deal.
The Potters are understood to be keen on Augsburg defender Daniel Opare as well as a loan move for Ings.
Leicester forward Islam Slimani has also been on their radar while Hughes is eager to add another midfielder to his squad.
The Welshman would not name names but admits he has got cash to spend next month.
“There’s a will to do things, a recognition we probably need a couple more,” he said ahead of the Boxing Day game at Huddersfield.
“We’ve got a few viable targets which are encouraging and if we can do something we probably will.
“We hope to do something to make us more resolute when we lose key people because we need key players playing week in week out.
“If we lose one or two it affects us adversely. We just need a little more strength I think.”