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Rangers transfer news as Ben Davies future unclear under Michael Beale amid 'plenty of market value' verdict
Ben Davies is a candidate to be sold this summer by Rangers boss Michael Beale as he still retains “plenty of market value”, says Chris Jack.
The former Liverpool defender arrived at the start of the season for a hefty fee of up to £4million [Sky Sports, 19 July] but amid inconsistent fitness and form he hasn’t cemented his spot in place of either the departed Leon Balogun or Calvin Bassey alongside Connor Goldson.
The 27-year-old has made 37 total appearances in his first season at Ibrox, but with the manager set for a major rebuild this summer it could be one and done if a decent offer is made.
Jack wrote in The Herald: “The jury is out on Ben Davies.
“There were high expectations after his £4million move from Liverpool but fitness was an issue in the first half of the campaign and his form recently leaves questions to be answered.
“The 27-year-old still has plenty of market value and is one that could be moved on if Beale thinks he can upgrade this summer.”
Prime candidate
Davies isn’t a terrible player and in time he could get more comfortable, but Rangers don’t have the luxury of time when Celtic are busy hoovering up all the trophies going in Scotland.
The defender’s glaring error in the 3-2 defeat at Parkhead on 8 April was soon followed by another from central partner John Souttar to throw away just one of many frustrating Old Firm derbies this season.
For the money paid he can’t really be seen as anything other than a work in progress so far, and at 27 it isn’t like he is a young player still finding his feet.
It might have been the right move and the wrong time for him to sign for Rangers, and while Souttar is similarly yet to come good on a consistent basis he does have the benefit of being a free transfer.
So if there is a market for Davies then Beale and company would likely be interested in taking the money at this point, with the manager looking to right some of the wrongs from last summer under Ross Wilson.
There was some logic to most of the recruits a year ago, but in practice the return has been meagre for the outlay amid huge injury problems.
It will go down as a lost season as the rebuild has only increased in urgency, and a commanding presence next to Goldson would make a big difference.
In other Rangers news, Beale has found himself in the firing line of furious “get what you deserve” criticism live on air.