ARTICLES
Leeds United backed to make summer move for Tottenham Hotspur veteran
Tottenham exercised one-year extension in Ben Davies’ contract but his future remains far from guaranteed
Tottenham Hotspur have started making big moves in the summer transfer market with Thomas Frank now at the helm.
Spurs have done a good job by turning loan moves of Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel in permanent deals from RC Lens and Bayern Munich, respectively. Highly-rated Asian prospect Kota Takai is set to become the club’s first signing of the summer transfer window under Thomas Frank.
The 20-year-old defender will apparently arrive from Kawasaki Frontale as a first-team option at White Hart Lane, thus, immediately bolstering Frank’s defensive options. This could lead to shake-up at the back, as the Danish tactician rebuilds the squad after a disastrous Premier League campaign this past term.
Meanwhile, according to Football London journalist Alasdair Gold, newly-promoted Leeds United are plotting a surprise swoop for Ben Davies, just a couple of weeks after Tottenham exercised a one-year extension to keep him at the club until 2026.
The Wales international, who has been at the club for 11 years now, looked set to become a free agent at the end of June, but with the contract extension now activated, he is no longer available for free. He has volumes of experience playing in the top flight, something Leeds United want to tap into after gaining direct promotion.
The Whites want to beef up their squad with a mixture of exciting talents and Premier League-proven commodities, which makes their interest in Ben Davies unsurprising. Despite now being tied at the club until June 30, 2026, Alasdair Gold claims the veteran defender’s spot at Tottenham is far from guaranteed.
“There may still maybe another departure. Ben Davies has had the extra year taken up on his contract, but I’m not entirely sure that guarantees he stays,” Gold told Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham podcast.
“I think that is just the club protecting itself, there are the likes of Leeds who have been looking at him. Maybe the fact that Takai can play on the left of a centre back pairing kind of frees him to head off if a good move comes in.”
It remains to be seen what Tottenham’s thinking is behind triggering a one-year extension in Davies’ contract. Whether they genuinely want to keep the experienced campaigner at the club for another season or get some kind of fee by selling him will become clear in the coming weeks. He has also emerged as a target for newly-promoted Championship side Wrexham.
More Tottenham Hotspur News:
- Tottenham showing interest in Brazilian attacker; £50m plus deal likely on the cards
- Alasdair Gold provides exciting update on Tottenham transfers as key summer looms large
- Serie A side eyeing replacements for Tottenham target; summer transfer possible
At 32, the Welshman is clearly past his prime but he could still do a job when required to—as evidenced last season when filling in for the injured duo Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven. Capable of playing at both left-back and centre-back, he provides valuable depth to the squad which will certainly be required to tackle the gruelling 2025/26 campaign.
Nonetheless, it will depend on whether Frank wants to keep Davies in his squad, but if Leeds intensify their interest and he pushes for a move, Tottenham may end up sanctioning his exit.
