West Ham United: Leif Davis January transfer window move to London Stadium predicted as ‘massive blow’ to Ipswich Town
Ipswich would suffer a “massive blow” to lose Leif Davis to West Ham and should reject any offers unless they are impossible to refuse, says Carlton Palmer.
The former England midfielder told Football League World on 22 January that while a move to the London Stadium would be an “exciting opportunity” for the former Leeds United defender he is key to Kieran McKenna’s side aiming for consecutive promotions.
The Irons are said to be focusing on adding a left-back before the January transfer deadline but Palmer believes Davis, 24, should wait until the summer before deciding his next move.
Palmer said: “It is reported that West Ham have prioritised the signing of Leif Davis from Ipswich. This would be a massive blow for Ipswich in their quest for back-to-back promotions.
“Davis is a key player with for Ipswich with impressive stats, and any potential move for Davis should be delayed until the summer to avoid disruption within the squad.
“However, West Ham are keen to bolster their options at left-back before the winter market closes.
“Moving to West Ham would be an exciting opportunity for Davis, but surely earning back-to-back promotions with Ipswich must be exciting, making history, and then in the summer, he can re-evaluate his future.
“It would be unlikely he’d be going straight into the first team for West Ham, so unless it’s an offer the club and player can’t refuse, Ipswich should resist all offers from West Ham and anyone else for Davis’ services.”
Tempting?
Davis may have scored an own-goal in the clash between the top two in the Championship on Monday (22 January) as Ipswich drew with Leicester but has otherwise been a big part of them remaining in the hunt to repeat their League One promotion last season.
After laying on 14 assists in the third tier last term he has already provided 12 in the second this season, making him an interesting attacking option for West Ham to finally add a left-back after months of trying.
Emerson is the regular starter now but Aaron Cresswell has been linked to a departure for multiple transfer windows without being able to leave.
It makes sense that Ipswich wouldn’t want to lose any key men midway through an historic season, so it likely would take a pretty sizeable offer to tempt them.
Davis has 18 months left on his contract with a club option for a further year so wouldn’t exactly be cheap, and with most of the focus going towards a deal for Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City and attacking reinforcements it might be one that has to wait for the summer.
In other West Ham news, the Irons hope to close a big-name January deal before midweek after a breakthrough.
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