Lampard faces losing boyhood Everton star to Scottish giant whose manager rates him highly
Rangers are considering a move to sign Everton midfielder Tom Davies this month as the Toffees look to find funds for their own winter business, according to reports.
Gers’ boss Michael Beale is a big fan of the player, after he faced him regularly as manager of Liverpool’s Under-23s.
Davies himself has said that if he can’t play regular football at Goodison Park then he will have to consider leaving, despite growing up as an Evertonian.
The Englishman has been at Everton since he was 11 years old, gradually rising through the ranks and was touted to become a top player in the future.
Davies broke onto the scene in 2017, making his first team debut in a 3-0 win against Southampton and then 13 days later, he scored a wondergoal in a famous 4-0 victory over Manchester City.
He also played regularly for England’s youth teams as a youngster, captaining them on several occasions, which only added to the hype around Davies.
However, despite having an excellent breakthrough season he has never really lived up to his potential, much to the disappointment of Evertonians.
This season, Davies has been out of favour with Frank Lampard, starting five times in the Premier League but only completing 90 minutes once. He’s fallen behind the likes of Amadou Onana, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Alex Iwobi in the pecking order.
It now seems that the Blues are willing to let Davies leave, as they need to secure funds to make their own signings this January, which given their league position, is of utmost importance.
In response, the 24-year-old recently declared that he may have to consider leaving Goodison Park if he wasn’t afforded more opportunities.
Recently speaking to the Atheltic, he said: “I love the club and the city but ultimately I want to play games, whether that be at Everton or somewhere else.
“If I’m not going to get that here, it’s something I’m going to have to think about.”
Michael Beale looking to rejuvenate Rangers midfield this January
As for Rangers, they are looking to do business this month as new manager Beale aims to close a nine-point gap on bitter rivals Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Steven Gerrard’s former right-hand man has reportedly made Davies, along with Norwich midfielder Todd Cantwell, one of his main targets as he looks to strengthen in the middle of the park.
Speaking about the prospect of signing them both, Beale said: “I think they are both good players to be fair. Todd [Cantwell] was an excellent player when he was young and playing against my Liverpool Under 23s.
“I thought he would go on and have a fantastic career. He had that at the start and he is maybe just looking for a move to reignite it but I think he is a fantastic player at a good age.
“And Tom Davies, he used to kick my Liverpool Under 23s team all around the place. There’s a bit of John Lundstram about him. But again, two really good players.
“Not confirming anything with those two. But there’s a lot of players we are speaking to at the moment.”
Indeed, if Everton and Rangers can come to an agreement over a deal for Davies, it could be a win-win for both teams.
Rangers also hold an advantage in negotiations as the Toffees still owe them £3.7m from when they signed Nathan Patterson a year ago, so it seems Davies has a real chance of heading to Ibrox in the coming weeks.
