---
title: "Celtic: Hoops face transfer battle with West Ham for defender Ben Davies"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-hoops-face-transfer-battle-with-west-ham-for-defender-ben-davies/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Seychell"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2020-10-13T18:00:14Z"
modified: "2020-10-13T18:00:14Z"
---

# Celtic: Hoops face transfer battle with West Ham for defender Ben Davies

**[Celtic](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/scottish-premier/celtic/) had been linked with a move for defender [Ben Davies](https://www.celticnewsnow.com/news/exclusive-celtic-turn-attention-to-signing-ben-davies-to-replace-ajer/354159/) from Championship side Preston North-End. Nothing came to fruition before the October 5th deadline though, and the club will have to wait until January if they want to make a move.**

This might be too late, as Premier League side West Ham, who are still able to do domestic transfers until October [16th](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12091407/deadline-day-2-what-deals-can-be-done-in-the-domestic-transfer-window-and-when-does-it-close), are also keen on the player.

### Could Celtic lose out on Ben Davies?

According to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-west-ham-make-move-to-blow-celtic-out-of-water-for-10m-valued-ace/), the Hoops face stiff competition from the Hammers. They have reportedly made contact over signing the Celtic target by Friday’s domestic transfer cut-off.

The Hoops have been eyeing the Preston North End centre-back and could see him as a potential January signing to [replace Kristoffer Ajer](https://www.footballinsider247.com/celtic-plotting-to-sign-davies-as-ajer-replacement/), who has attracted a lot of interest from sides like [AC Milan.](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/ac-milan-remain-kristoffer-ajer-22836851)

### Would this be a big blow for Celtic?

Last term, the 25 year-old failed to stand out for the Lilywhites as he averaged only 0.9 tackles and 0.8 interceptions per game, via [WhoScored.](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/124204/Show/Ben-Davies)

Despite the fact that the Celtic are interested in him, the fact that another club might swoop in for him could be a blessing in disguise.

\[freshpress-poll id=”330528″\]

With Ajer attracting interest from big sides in Europe like [AC Milan and Manchester City](https://sempremilan.com/reports-real-madrid-and-man-city-join-ac-milan-in-race-to-land-celtic-star), a Championship defender who hasn’t exactly set the world alight in England’s second tier would not be the best replacement, especially with the pressure of signing for a player who has left to join an elite European club.

He is [out of contract](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ben-davies/profil/spieler/257097) at the end of this season, so if no one does sign him before this, Celtic could make the swoop a bit less risky at least financially by signing him on a free transfer. Therefore, potentially losing out on Davies in this summer window does not seem a major blow.

***Celtic fans, what are your thoughts on this news? Comment below!***