Spurs increase offer for Davies

Spurs and Arsenal look set to fight it out for the signature of Albion centre-back Curtis Davies IF Albion accept Spurs latest offer of £5 million.

Albion have already refused Spurs first offer of £3.5 million and rebuffed a £10 million offer from Wigan Athletic for Davies and two other Baggies players. Spurs may hold a trump card though as Albion are reportedly interested in signing Calum Davenport who is currently based at White Hart Lane.

According to reports Albion have lodged a bid with Spurs for Davenport in excess of £1 million and Bryan Robson is a big fan of the former Coventry defender. If Spurs were to agree to use Davenport as part exchange for Davies plus £5 million it may be difficult for Peace to say no.

Albion chairman Jeremy Peace has stood firm on any offers that have come in so far for his prized assets and insists that none of the clubs first-team stars are for sale and that any clubs coming in with offers for these players are ‘wasting their time.`

Peace is going to have to fight to keep Davies at the club; he was the one player who could hold his head high after his performances last season. He captained the Albion side last season and become one of the youngest captains in the Premiership; he is one of the most promising young defenders in the country and is going to be a future England regular.

With the new season fast approaching Albion are going to have to stand strong if they are serious about gaining promotion. Davies is an important member of the first-team and would be hard to replace, Albion need to fight off any offers for the defender.

Spurs will have to fight for Davies even if Albion accept their offer as Arsenal are thought to be waiting for a suitable offer to be accepted by the Baggies and then they will match it, Arsenal are thought to be Davies` preferred option and they have a new stadium and Champions League football to attract Davies to the Emirates Stadium.

Albion will try to keep Davies as they are looking to add to the squad not dismantle it, Albion are hoping to add a top quality experienced centre-back to play alongside Davies with Bruno N`Gotty, Stephane Henchoz and recently linked Ugo Ehiogu all rumoured to be wanted by Albion.

Ehiogu was close to a move to Albion in January but it fell through after personal terms could not be agreed. He went on to impress for Middlesbrough in their revival towards the end of last season and new Boro boss Gareth Southgate wants him to remain at the club and earn himself an extended contract.

Albion have been frustrated in their attempts to sign an experienced defender so far with the news that former target David Weir has decided to extend his stay with Everton for another season.