Liverpool close to deadline day move for a new defender

The Reds appear to be on the verge of a badly needed defensive boost ahead of the final hours of the January transfer window.

Preston defender Ben Davies is set to undergo a medical ahead of a deadline day transfer to Liverpool.

The Premier League champions have launched a desperate search for defensive reinforcements. Long-term injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez have severely hampered them, along with Joel Matip’s recurring fitness issues. They’ve resorted to youth and some makeshift defenders, but a new signing was always a must.

📊 Ben Davies' defender rankings in the Championship so far this season#DeadlineDay pic.twitter.com/38CyBmTVEP

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 1, 2021

Now Sky Sports states Liverpool have struck a deal with Preston to sign Davies. The Championship club will receive £500,000 (€566,430) up front, along with potential add-ons of £1.1m (€1.2m) during the player’s time at Anfield. They’ll also bank around 20% of any profit the Reds make from selling him.

The reason for Davies’ low transfer fee is down to his contract being left with just five months remaining before it expires. The 25-year-old will undergo a medical on Monday morning.

Scottish giants Celtic, Championship club Bournemouth, and Premier League sides Burnley and Sheffield United were also interested in Davies.

Liverpool’s 19-year-old center-back Sepp van den Berg, meanwhile, will head to Preston on loan to help cover for Davies’ departure.

Pat 🗣 "Ben Davies? Preston?"

Klopp 🗣 "…Tottenham?" 🤣

Jurgen Klopp when quizzed by @skysports_PatD about potential signings for Liverpool pic.twitter.com/UVY52SoEXz

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 31, 2021