Ben Davies finds himself at a career crossroads after new "Rangers" manager Russell Martin revealed plans to evaluate the defender in pre-season. The 29-year-old center-back, who spent last season on loan at "Birmingham City", had expected to move on permanently from Ibrox this summer.
"I'm reluctant to close the door on any player before I've had a chance to assess them," – Martin reportedly stated regarding Davies' situation.
Davies enjoyed a remarkable campaign with "Birmingham" last term, featuring in 44 matches across all competitions and playing an instrumental role in the club's record-breaking League One title triumph. His solid partnership with Christoph Klarer in the second half of the season had made him a prime target for the Blues' permanent recruitment plans.
Interestingly, the defender has significant Championship experience from his time at "Preston North End" and "Sheffield United" before joining "Rangers". Despite dropping down to League One last season, his performances certainly didn't suggest a player on the decline.
Birmingham City had hoped to secure both Davies and fellow Rangers loanee Kieran Dowell on permanent deals following their successful loan spells. However, Martin's appointment has complicated matters considerably. The Scottish club's new boss apparently wants to freshen up his defensive options but isn't willing to let Davies leave without a proper look.
With just one year remaining on his contract at Ibrox, Davies' future remains uncertain. Will "Birmingham" need to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements? The Blues already have several center-backs under contract, including Klarer, Krystian Bielik, and Phil Neumann, but Davies' experience proved invaluable last season.
For now, "Birmingham" fans can only wait and see how Martin's pre-season assessment unfolds. One thing's certain – Davies won't be short of suitors if "Rangers" ultimately decide to let him go.
