Celtic keen to broker January deal for Davies as club open talks with Owls teenager
are trying to push through a deal with Ben Davies this month as they edge closer to agreeing a pre-contract with the defender.
According to reports, manager Neil Lennon is keen to get a deal brokered for the Preston North End star in the January window after losing Christopher
Jullien to a knee injury and seeing right-back Jeremie Frimpong sold to Bayer Leverkusen.
Preston boss Alex Neil has admitted he is powerless to stop Davies leaving the club and that it will be up to the Deepdale board whether the player leaves before Monday night’s deadline.
He told the Lancashire Post: “I haven’t really heard anything (about Celtic) apart from what was in the paper.
“Ben hasn’t said a word to me about it. He has been good all the way through, this has only just appeared.
“As far as I’m aware from the discussions I’ve had before with Ben, he has so far committed to certainly being here to at least the end of the season.
“That has been the discussion I’ve had to this point, natceltic urally that is subject to change but I’ve not been made aware of any change.
“I’m not in control of this situation so it is a hard question for me to answer.
“I could say, ‘Yes, he will be here until the end of the season’ and then he leaves tonight and I look silly.”
The 25-year-old Davies has been with the English Championship side his entire career after coming through their youth ranks. He can play both left-back and central defence.
Meanwhile, Celtic are also reported to have opened talks with Sheffield Wednesday teenager Liam Shaw as they look to agree a pre-contract deal.
The Parkhead side are looking to convince the 19-yearold his future lies away from Hillsborough with preliminary discussions underway.
The English Championship club have no t given up hope of convincing the player to extend his current deal, which is set to expire this summer.
Shaw, who can play in defence and midfield, is said to be open to the idea of signing a new deal but is keeping his options open and may be tempted by the prospect of playing European football.