Ben Davies now has point to prove at Rangers as transfer news emerges from Ibrox
Ben Davies is unlikely to leave the club this summer with Michael Beale on the search for a new-centre-back, and the Rangers defender now has a huge point to prove next season.
The central defender signed from Liverpool in a £4m deal last summer to help replace Calvin Bassey and had a solid first campaign at Ibrox alongside Connor Goldson.
The 27-year is reportedly attracting plenty of interest ahead of the summer window with Championship outfit Stoke emerging as a potential next destination [Football Scotland, 2 June].
However, despite the interest, Davies is said to be happy to remain at Ibrox next season.
“There has been speculation about the defender’s future but Football Scotland understands he’s unlikely to leave this summer,” Football Scotland wrote.
“Stoke City are among other Championship clubs who have been linked with an interest in the centre-half.
“As we understand it the player is currently not interested in a departure as he has played more often than not under Beale and is a high-earner in Glasgow.”
The summer window is going to be absolutely hectic at Ibrox and there are plenty of areas that need addressing with the current squad.
You can certainly argue that centre-back is one of those areas after Beale promised recently that Rangers will look to prioritise the position during the summer, with Leon King not established and both Goldson and John Souttar suffering with lengthy injuries at different points.
Allowing Davies to leave Ibrox will have been very costly given his experience and quality shown alongside Goldson throughout the campaign.
However, it’s clear that Beale will strengthen the position which hands Davies a fight to keep his place alongside Goldson next season, or even potentially trump him in the team.
The Gers are certainly heading towards a totally different squad dynamic with Beale targeting more fresher and younger names to add quality, especially after the free signings of Dujon Sterling and Kieran Dowell over the past week or so.
Rangers have been linked with some exciting centre-back names in recent weeks, with Arsenal’s Auston Trusty and Nottingham Forest’s Jonathan Panzo emerging as potential long-term partners for Goldson giving Davies a huge fight on his hands to keep his place at Ibrox.
It’s uncertain whether the 27-year-old will be a Rangers starting when the season kicks off again in August, but with the Gers squad looking set to be revamped before pre-season gets underway, it’s a huge opportunity for Davies to prove to Beale that he remains his best and most trusted centre-back option in the long-term.
In other Rangers news, this midfielder “will join” before the 2023/24 season.