Prior to the summer transfer window, Leif Davis, an Ipswich Town star, is drawing interest from the Premier League.
Before the market reopens at the end of the season, talkSPORT reports that West Ham and Newcastle United are keeping an eye on the full-back. The 24-year-old is also reportedly being pursued by Nottingham Forest, according to the Ipswich fan site TWTD.
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).
| Leif Davis’ Ipswich Town Championship Stats – 2023-24 Season | ||
|---|---|---|
| Per 90 | *Percentile Ranking (vs. full-backs) | |
| Non-penalty goals | 0.03 | 45 |
| Non-penalty expected goals (npxG) | 0.06 | 68 |
| Shots | 0.77 | 65 |
| Assists | 0.43 | 99 |
| Expected assisted goals (xAG) | 0.26 | 99 |
| npxG + xAG | 0.32 | 97 |
| Shot-creating actions | 4.95 | 99 |
| Stats Correct As Of March 6, 2024 – As Per Fbref.com *Percentile ranking = Davis compared to positional peers in 14 similar competitions over the last 365 days. 100 = best, 1 = worst | ||
He has contributed one goal and 14 assists to the team’s promotion challenge, standing out as one of the division’s top players, and against Bristol City this week he starred with a goal and two assists in a 3-2 victory.
Davis has a contract until the summer of 2025, although he has an option that can be triggered to extend that by a further year.
Don Goodman issues Leif Davis transfer verdict amid Newcastle United and West Ham interest
Former Football League striker turned Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes that Davis could have his head turned by the interest from West Ham and Newcastle.
He has claimed a move to a bigger club will be enticing for the former Leeds man – even if Ipswich earn a place in the Premier League this season.
“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.
Davis’ future is key for Ipswich
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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