West Ham said to be keen on Preston North End centre-half Ben Davies

It is claimed that West Ham, managed by former PNE boss David Moyes, have an interest in the 25-year-old.

The Hammers are reported to be looking to add to their defensive options, with them limited to the Championship in terms of a market.

In the domestic section of the window, Premier League clubs cannot trade with one another but can buy from the EFL.

Of the ‘big four’ North End players out of contract next summer – Ben Pearson, Daniel Johnson and Alan Browne the others – Davies has attracted the most attention.

Bournemouth saw a bid for him believed to be in the region of £3m, turned down, with Sheffield United and Celtic also linked. Celtic’s interest is believed to be more along the lines of a pre-contract agreement which would enable him to move for free in summer 2021.

Johnson was subject of a bid from Rangers more than a month ago but the deadline for international deals passed a week ago with the Scottish club coming back in for him.

The link with West Ham and Davies is a simple one to make with Moyes’ PNE past.

With him still living in the area, he watched his fair share of Preston games when not in employment.

Two-and-a-half years ago during his first spell in charge of the Hammers, they signed Jordan Hugill from North End in a £9.5m deal.

After a slow-burner of a start to his PNE career, Davies has blossomed into a talented left-sided defender.

Five loan spells away from Deepdale helped him learn his trade before he nailed down a regular place when Alex Neil was appointed manager. If Friday’s deadline passes without Davies, Johnson, Pearson or Browne leaving, it will be interesting to see how things play out.

It would leave only the January window for PNE to get a fee for them should they choose to continue running down their contracts.

On the flip side, it can be risky for a player to run down their contract if they were to then get a serious injury.

Meanwhile, Browne was forced to sit out the Republic of Ireland’s 0-0 draw with Wales in Dublin yesterday due to Covid-19 protocols.

An unnamed player in the Republic’s squad tested positive, with Browne, Callum Robinson, John Egan and Callum O’Dowda, deemed to have been ‘close contacts’ of that player.

It could well be that Browne has to miss Wednesday’s clash with Finland too.

Sean Maguire came off the bench in the 70th minute against Wales. He was a late call-up to the squad on Friday.