CHERRIES are battling Celtic to try and sign defender Ben Davies from Liverpool, according to a report in the Scottish Daily Mail.

Davies completed a shock move to the 19-time English champions in February, joining from Preston North End for a reported £1.6million to help ease a defensive injury crisis.

However, the 25-year-old is yet to make his debut for the Anfield club.

Davies came through the academy ranks at Preston and played 145 times for their first team, as well as spending time out on loan at York City, Tranmere Rovers, Southport, Newport County and Fleetwood Town in the lower leagues.

And according to the report in the Mail, Liverpool would be looking for a "hefty profit" for Davies, with Celtic preferring a loan deal.

The Scottish giants are said to be "in competition with a posse of English clubs" including Cherries to sign the defender.

Cherries have previously held interest in Davies.

The Daily Echo understands the club attempted to sign him in each of the past two transfer windows, seeing a bid in excess of £5million turned down by Preston last summer.