Rangers are set to sign Liverpool defender Ben Davies for £4m, according to reports in the Scottish media.
The 26-year-old has never played for the Premier League side even though he has spent eighteen months with the Reds since arriving from Preston North End in January last year. He was loaned out to Championship club Sheffield United last season and he has been linked with a number of other teams this summer, including Blackburn, Middlesbrough, Burnley and Stoke.
From the initial reaction to the deal on Twitter, supporters are not particularly enthusiastic about recruiting Davies:
Until I see him being great I'm definitely underwhelmed by this one
— Andrew Wood (@Andwoo74) July 17, 2022
Hmmm 🤔
— Cambridge Bear (@scooterrangers) July 17, 2022
Surely not? 😂
— Mac (@TonyMacaroo) July 17, 2022
Please no
— williamgrimes🇬🇧 (@WilliamGrimes_) July 17, 2022
Underwhelming for me. Paying a premium for someone who doesn't improve the starting XI
— Ross Leach (@rosshleach) July 17, 2022
Not sure I'm all for this one
— Chris David (@ChrisDavid1872) July 17, 2022
I think our transfer business in and out, has been awful. I can't believe we are about to spend that kind of money on this guy.
— Red (@Archiecavalier1) July 17, 2022
Davies is left-footed and can play both in the centre of defence and in wide areas, so there is some logic to him being lined up as a potential replacement for Calvin Bassey.
However, concerns about his ability are justified. The Englishman has never played a match in a top division and many will believe that there are better alternatives out there. Director of football Ross Wilson is still thought to be looking for more defensive reinforcements so Davies could well be joined at Ibrox by a more high-profile signing.