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

Celtic had been linked with a move for defender Ben Davies 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, are also keen on the player.
Could Celtic lose out on Ben Davies?
According to Football Insider, 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, who has attracted a lot of interest from sides like AC Milan.
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.
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.
Would Davies be a good signing for Celtic?
Yes, get him in!

No, don't want him anymore!

With Ajer attracting interest from big sides in Europe like AC Milan and Manchester City, 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 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!
