The transfer window isn’t open yet, but the rumors sure are acting like it is. Today we have a report from L’Equipe that suggests Tottenham Hotspur reserve defender Ben Davies could be an option for Ligue 1 club OGC Nice when the transfer window opens in a few days. Spurs exercised an option to extend Davies’ contract for an extra season this past summer, which means he’s out of contract in June. This might represent the last opportunity for Spurs to get a little cash for their longest-tenured player.
It’s not the most solid of rumors. The report states that Nice have had an interest in Davies, Wales’ captain and an experienced international and Premier League defender. He’s not a spring chicken but is a steady hand in the back line, and Nice are currently having a bit of a defensive injury crisis, with Dante, Youssouf Ndayishimiye, Mohamed Abdelmonem, and Moïse Bombito all out of action. Davies would likely be signed as defensive cover.
And that’s why L’Equipe suggests that a deal to bring Davies to France might be “far from straightforward.” For starters, it’s suggested that Davies might want a long-term deal somewhere if and when he does leave Tottenham, and second he’s likely on wages that are going to be problematic for Nice to match.
We all like Big Ben, but it’s pretty clear his days at Spurs are numbered. He’s had some injuries this fall that have kept him out of the rotation, but he still only has 55 minutes of game time in the first half of the season. I’m not sure how confident I feel about this particular rumor being true, but it does suggest that Ben Davies might have a market.