Birmingham City are pushing to close a deal for Rangers defender Ben Davies as quickly as possible so he can face Leyton Orient this weekend, according to the Daily Record.

The paper reported on their website at midday on August 23 that manager Chris Davies is eager to finalize the transfer within the next 24 hours so the center-back can be included in the squad for the upcoming League One match.

A loan-to-buy deal is anticipated for the Ibrox defender, who reportedly commands a “big wage” in Glasgow after joining from Liverpool two years ago.

The “big-spending” English club would have the option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season, with the manager already familiar with the player from their time together at Anfield and Preston North End.

Rangers are set to offload the former Liverpool defender

Davies’ £4 million signing under Giovanni van Bronckhorst [Sky Sports] has not delivered the expected value for Rangers.

The 29-year-old made 38 appearances in his first season in Glasgow but has played only 20 games since, making his departure feel overdue.

Philippe Clement has been keen to move such players out this summer to create space for his own signings, but since the sales of Connor Goldson and Sam Lammers, progress has been frustratingly slow.

Michael Beale seemed ready to let Davies go this time last year, but the Englishman’s reluctance to leave at that time apparently thwarted plans to bring in Harry Souttar as a partner for his brother John.

Birmingham may have been relegated to the English third tier but are showing ambition as they target an immediate return, so this could be a move that works out for all parties.

And assuming it goes through it would certainly help if Davies, both manager and player, do go up to the Championship and a permanent move is seen through.

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