Exclusive: Sheffield United make move to beat Celtic to £10m-valued star
Sheffield United have made contact over signing Celtic target Ben Davies by next Monday's transfer deadline, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.
This site broke the news of the Scottish giants' interest in the centre-back, who has entered the final eight months of his contract at Preston North End.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that United have now made a move for Davies, 25, following the devastating injury sustained by Jack O'Connell.
The 26-year-old has sustained knee ligament damage that Chris Wilder has claimed will keep him out for "six months minimum" and possibly the rest of the season.
O'Connell is privately hopeful of being out for only three to four months, but the Premier League club are eyeing replacements.
Davies is on the radar of Wilder's side after his impressive form for North End in the Championship.
He has started all three of their league matches this season and has now played 129 times for his boyhood club.
Football Insider revealed at the end of August that Celtic have set their sights on signing Davies as a potential Kristoffer Ajer replacement.
The Preston man has also attracted strong interest from Bournemouth, who had a £5million bid knocked back.
The Lancashire club value Davies at the £10m mark, even though his contract expires next June.
O’Connell has been integral to a Blades side that achieved promotion from the Championship in 2018-19 and the club’s highest ever Premier League finish last season.
He made 32 league starts among 35 appearances last term in a Sheffield United defence that boasted the fourth best defensive record in the division.