According to a report in The Sun, Preston North End’s Ben Davies has been linked with a £10 million Premier League move to Brighton and Hove Albion.
The report comes almost a year after Derby were linked with the player.
The Sun on Sunday (September 23, 2018; Page 61) claimed the Rams were tracking the Preston North End defender ahead of a January transfer window move.
Derby had Richard Keogh, Alex Pearce, Curtis Davies and on-loan defender Fikayo Tomori at the time. Then manager Frank Lampard may have opted against following up.
But, fast forward a year and it now looks like a missed opportunity.
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Derby County must strengthen the defence:
Pearce left to join Millwall in the summer. Player of the Year Tomori returned to parent club Chelsea, while Keogh is ruled out of action for 15 months with an ACL knee injury.
Curtis Davies is the only player eligible to start for Phillip Cocu’s side, and the 34-year-old’s contract at Pride Park expires next summer. The central defence needs strengthening.
Ben Davies would have been an inexpensive option last January. The Lillywhites sold Callum Robinson to Sheffield United for a reported £6 million this past summer. The 24-year-old attacker was widely regarded as Preston’s best player – so how much could they have realistically wanted for Davies?
Well, now, the Championship club are seemingly seeking a larger sum with Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United also listed as suitors for the player.
Davies has been in fine for Preston this season. He averages 3.6 aerial duels won and is comfortable in possession, posting a 78.4% pass-accuracy rate.
The 24-year-old would have been ideal for Derby who seek to play a possession-based game. However, the Rams missed their chance and it certainly isn’t the first time either.
Also see: ‘Go get him’: Some Millwall fans want former Derby County man as their new boss.
Also see: Chelsea player with expiring contract ‘likes’ Phillip Cocu’s Derby Instagram message.