Don Goodman issues Leif Davis transfer verdict amid Newcastle United and West Ham interest

With 33 appearances in the league from 36 games thus far this season, the defender has been a vital member of the Tractor Boys (all data courtesy of Fbref). He stands out as one of the best players in the division and has helped the side push for promotion with one goal and fourteen assists. This week, against Bristol City, he shone with a goal and two assists in a 3-2 victory. Although he has an option to extend it by one additional year, Davis’ contract is set to expire in the summer of 2025. Don Goodman, a former Football League striker who is now a Sky Sports pundit, thinks that Davis’s attention may be drawn by West Ham and Newcastle. Even if Suffolk secures a spot in the Premier League this season, he asserts that the former Leeds player will find it alluring to join a larger club.

“Well, I think it would [turn Davis’ head], it has to be [distracting] with respect to Ipswich,” Goodman told Football League World via King Casino Bonus. “They’re a big club in the Championship, Ipswich Town, but right now, if they got promoted into the Premier League, they wouldn’t be one of the big clubs in the Premier League. “As a player, you aspire to play at the highest level you can and obviously that’s the Premier League, it doesn’t really get much bigger, certainly for British players. “If big clubs come in for him, Ipswich are going to find it hard to keep him. “He’s had a brilliant last couple of seasons. Last season in League One, three goals, 14 assists, and then the question was – can you take that fall and look into the Championship to that higher level? And the answer is absolutely yes. “This season now one goal, 14 assists already, so he’s matched at the higher level, the same amount of assists, and when you’ve got that kind of delivery that he’s got it’s a weapon, he’s an assist machine.” Despite the positive season going forward for Ipswich, Goodman has highlighted one area where he feels Davis needs to improve to prepare for life in the top flight. “My only question about his overall ability as a player would be defending,” Goodman added. “I think he’s been found wanting one v one, on occasions.“At this level, it’s only going to get harder for him to defend in the Premier League, but going forward, he’s magnificent.“And I do think that in the modern full-backs, if I’m a head coach, I think it’s more important that you’re good, that you can attack as a full-back now. “I think attacking is equally, if not more, important than defending, so that is a string to the bow that that he has kind of think it needs a little bit of coaching and a little bit of work on his defending. “But yeah, cracking, cracking player and Ipswich would find it hard to keep hold of him, of course they will.”
Leif Davis

Whether Ipswich gain promotion or not, the future of Davis will be a key part of their summer business. Ipswich are well positioned when it comes to Davis’ future, as the one-year optional extension effectively means he’s there until the summer of 2026. But promotion this season may be needed to convince the 24-year-old to remain at Portman Road and extend his contract further, which would be great for the club of course. West Ham and Newcastle may be able to offer European football next year, but it is Davis being a boyhood Magpies fan that could be the real head-turning situation – Eddie Howe’s side came in for Valentino Livramento last summer when he was contracted to a Championship club so there’s every chance that they will do the same with Davis.

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