Tottenham star Ben Davies has been the subject of interest from Galatasaray
Tottenham Hotspur star Ben Davies is out of contract at the end of the season and speculation over his future has been rife since the start of September.
The Wales international has been with Spurs since 2014 and with his current deal winding down (Transfermarkt), there has been no sign of a new contract being offered to the Spurs veteran by the club. With the 31-year-old potentially entering free agency next summer, either Tottenham cashes him in now or allows him to agree a pre-contract with foreign clubs from January 1 onwards.
Turkish champions Galatasaray are eyeing a late shock swoop for Ben Davies. They are keen to bolster their defence with an experienced, versatile player and have made the Spurs defender their top target before the Turkish transfer window’s September 13 deadline.
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However, ex-Tottenham Bryan King expects Spurs to retain the services of Ben Davies despite links with Galatasaray. He believes the Welshman is a utility player to have in Ange Postecoglou’s squad in the Hotspur Way.
“I would have thought Spurs would want to keep hold of Davies due to his experience,” Bryan King exclusively told Tottenham News.
“That experience is useful with a squad of young players, such as Destiny Udogie in that left-back position. Davies is a full international who has been around the football club for quite some time.
“The only thing I could see coming out of this is that this would probably be the last move for Davies where he could secure himself guaranteed first-team football and a big money deal.
“However, he has proven to be a good utility player for the club, he has come in at centre-back as well as left-back. Spurs will have plenty of games this season. Therefore, I would have thought the January transfer window would be the time to let go of players, not now.”
Regardless of turning 31, Davies rolled back the years with stellar performances in Wales’ back-to-back UEFA Nations League group-stage games against Turkiye and Montenegro, respectively, over the recent international break. He has always been a reliable and steady performer for both club and country over the years, and the left-back further underlined it with strong displays for Craig Bellamy’s side.
The £80k-per-week star still has a lot of gas left in his tank, and his volumes of experience, leadership skills and versatility make him a fantastic player to have in the squad. The native from Neath was purely used as a squad option by Ange Postecoglou last season, but with the games increasing this time around following Spurs’ qualification in Europe, Davies will be expected to get more minutes.
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Destiny Udogie is the undisputed first-choice left-back under Big Ange, with Davies being a decent understudy to the young Italian. The 31-year-old can also provide back-up to Micky van de Ven in central defence when required, so losing him at such a crucial juncture would be nothing less than a crime from the Lilywhites even though he has just nine months left in his current deal.