QPR and Oxford Unted in transfer tug of war for Rangers defender Ben Davies | OneFootball

Ben Davies is being chased by two Championship clubs after being made surplus to requirements at Ibrox

Championship duo Queens Park Rangers and Oxford United are battling it out to sign out of favour Rangers defender Ben Davies.

The 30-year-old has been at the Glasgow outfit for three years since his move from Liverpool for an initial fee of £3 million, but he appears to not be in the plans of new head coach Russell Martin at Ibrox, with Nasser Djiga, John Souttar and Emmanuel Fernandez all appearing to be ahead of the ex-Preston North End man in the pecking order.

It looks as though Davies will now be allowed to leave Rangers before the transfer window shuts on September 1, and a couple of Championship clubs are eyeing up a move to bring him back to England.

Oxford United & QPR in transfer tussle for Rangers centre-half Ben Davies

According to journalist Pete O'Rourke, both QPR and Oxford have registered their interest in signing Davies in the final two weeks of the window, with the left-footed centre-back having less than one year remaining on his contract north of the border.

Davies has had a somewhat disappointing time of things in Scotland, featuring regularly under Michael Beale in the 2022-23 season, but the following campaign saw him play just 17 times in all competitions for the Gers.

Allowed to depart on loan in the summer transfer window of 2024, Davies returned to England with then-League One side Birmingham City, and he was able to make the most of a new opportunity by featuring heavily in their 111-point season, playing 35 times in the third tier of English football.

With Blues going in a different direction though and signing both Phil Neumann and Eiran Cashin from Hannover and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively, Davies has not returned to St. Andrew's, leaving an opening for another club to take advantage and sign the experienced defender.

Ben Davies could provide useful experience for both Oxford United & QPR

In Oxford's case, it's clear to see why Gary Rowett would want to add a centre-back to his squad before the end of the transfer window, having shipped three goals away at Hull City on Sunday afternoon.

His first-choice pairing of Elliott Moore and Michal Helik has a considerable presence height and physicality wise, but there's perhaps a lack of balance with both being right-footed, which is where left-sider Davies could come in and bring his Championship experience, having played 151 times in the second tier for both Preston and Sheffield United.

QPR meanwhile have only one left-footed centre-back in Jake Clarke-Salter, but the ex-Chelsea man's injury record is a real concern, having not been seen since January due to a hip problem - one that he is still recovering from post-surgery and hasn't been seen yet this season.