Preston North End’s boss Alex Neil has given an update on any possible transfers involving his players after watching his side beat Derby County 2-1 in the Carabao Cup, as reported by The Daily Record.
Celtic are said to be interested in Ben Davies who can operate as either a left-back or centre-back with the 25-year old spending The Lilywhites last fixture on the bench.
When asked if there had been any movement or bids for his players, Neil said:
“There is nothing in anything about anybody at the moment
“We don’t talk about transfers through the media because I don’t think it is fair on the player. People jumped to assumptions which a lot of the time aren’t right.
“What we like to do is keep our counsel. If anything does happen the media will be the first to know but at the appropriate time rather than speculation which unsettles people.
“When people get unsettled that is really frustrating for me more than anybody because I’m trying to get my team ready, trying to keep focused, I’m trying to get them ready to be together and try and build something,
“When speculation comes up it is certainly not helpful.”
Bournemouth are said to have bid £5million for Davies although this was rejected, with Celtic reportedly willing to wait until January when they can offer the player a contract seeing as he is into the last year of his current deal.
Should Celtic pay upwards of £5m for Davies now or hold out until January?
Sign him now
Wait until January
In what is another example of English clubs wanting excessive fees for their players, unless they are approaching the end of their contract or younger players available through the cross border loophole, fewer signings will inevitably be made from down south – the value just isn’t there.
When you consider that Preston are wanting more for Davies than Celtic paid for Christopher Jullien, who has experience in one of Europe’s top leagues, there are few within the Scottish game that would blame the Hoops recruitment team for look farther afield when players like David Turnbull aren’t available on their doorstep.