Stoke City are reportedly one of two Championship clubs who are looking to sign defender Ben Davies from Liverpool this summer.
Despite being on Liverpool's books for 18 months, Davies is yet to make his competitive debut for the club. And it now appears he could be leaving permanently.
The 26-year-old was signed from Preston North End in late January 2021 after the Reds were hit by a defensive injury crisis. But the form of Academy gradates Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams meant Davies had to sit on the sidelines for the reminder of the 2020-21 campaign.
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Davies spent last season away from Anfield at Sheffield United in the Championship. He made 23 appearances for the Blades but was an unused substitute in their play-off semi-final two-legged loss to Nottingham Forest, who then went on to beat Huddersfield Town in the final.
At this stage it doesn't appear that Sheffield United will return for Davies. But Sky Sports News have reported that two of their league rivals, Stoke and Blackburn Rovers, are interested in buying the former Tranmere Rovers loanee.
Davies returned to the AXA Training Centre on Monday as Liverpool started their pre-season preparations. But he has not been named in the 37-man squad that the Reds have taken on their tour of the Far East.
Davies has three years remaining on his current contract at Anfield. Liverpool will be looking to make a profit on the fee they paid Preston, which was believed to be £500,000 up front with an additional £1.1m in clauses.
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