Rangers have negotiated a fee of £4 million with Liverpool to recruit Ben Davies.
The contract to sign Davies, who spent last season on loan at Sheffield United, is for more over £3 million guaranteed, with the remaining made up of potential add-ons based on matches played and team performance.
Both Blackburn and Middlesbrough were interested in signing the defender, while Stoke and Burnley had approached Liverpool about a season-long loan.
Davies, 27, has yet to make a first-team appearance for Liverpool despite joining on a long-term contract from Preston in a £1.6m transfer in February last year.
But Liverpool signed Davies for just £500,000 initially which they made back last season by way of the loan fee paid by Sheffield United.
Prior to joining Liverpool, Davies played 145 times for Preston, where he came through the youth system.
A sky sports personality reported:
“Rangers appear to have beaten off a lot of competition in the race to sign Liverpool centre-back Ben Davies. Hopefully, it all gets completed – a £4m fee and a move to a club like Rangers is a really positive outcome for Ben and the club.
“Blackburn made an impressive offer and pitch and Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder has been after Ben since he was Sheffield United manager.
“That level of interest clearly illustrates Ben’s reputation in the game. He’s been a consummate professional while at Liverpool and was popular in the dressing room.
“Jurgen Klopp is disappointed it didn’t work out as had been hoped when he joined, but has remained engaged with Ben throughout.”
Davies will be the sixth new signing for Rangers this summer, joining wingers Rabbi Matondo and Tom Lawrence, center-forward Antonio Colak, attacking midfielder Malik Tillman, and center-back John Souttar.
He might be seen as a replacement for Calvin Bassey, who is on his way to Ajax.
The Light Blues have signed Davies, who was previously a target for their archrivals Celtic. Indeed, the Hoops were on the brink of signing him before Liverpool swooped in late last year.
There were even rumours earlier this summer that Ange Postecoglou’s side were still interested in the 26-year-old, so it may irritate them that it now appears that the Gers will be the club to sign him.
Fortunately for Rangers, recruiting consultant Liam Henshaw described Davies as “the top of the crop” among EFL center-halves.
He also described the 26-year-old as a “terrific” player who would assist Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side generate attacks since he is “developing in every aspect.”
