‘Would fit the bill’ - Newcastle United backed to beat Spurs to signature of ex-Leeds United ace after ‘biggest ambition’ claim

Newcastle United are understood to be the favourites to sign highly-rated left-back Leif Davis from Premier League rivals Ipswich Town.

The 24-year-old star has emerged as a potential target for Tottenham Hotspur in recent weeks after a string of impressive performances for the Tractor Boys since winning promotion to the top-flight.

The Leeds United academy graduate is arguably Ipswich’s most important player and has been a revelation in Suffolk under Kieran McKenna. Davis is renowned for his immense workrate, pinpoint crossing skills and his constant desire to get forward and create chances for his team.

In the two years leading up to the club’s return to the top-flight, he racked up a combined total of four goals and 32 assists at League One and Championship level across 86 appearances to guide the club to back-to-back promotions, while notably beating Kieran Trippier’s record for the most assists by a defender in a single season at Championship level after delivering 18 last season.

Journalist Josh Hughes, who is a Tottenham Hotspur fan believes the Lillywhites should be all over Davis for this exact reason, but sensationally claimed that Newcastle would be the favourites to sign the defender from Portman Road if he ever was to become available in the near future.

He explained on the Spurs Chat Podcast: “Onto players that I like and I think we should be targeting. Leif Davis at Ipswich, one goal and two assists this season, he has a wicked left foot, he would fit the bill.

“However, he’s Newcastle mad. He’s from Newcastle, he’s a Newcastle fan, if Newcastle have a sniff there’s only place he will be going, but I like him.”

Davis came through the academy at Leeds United but spent time on the books at Wallsend Boys Club and Morecambe as a youngster before settling in West Yorkshire.

However, he has always had a strong affiliation with Newcastle United and was even a season ticket holder as a youngster at a time when the club had Alan Pardew as manager and Fabricio Coloccini as captain.

Speaking of his connection to the club, he said over the summer: “I’ve always been a huge fans and had a season ticket at St James’ Park for years. When I first went to watch them there was Ryan Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini. Then there was Yohan Cabaye and Gabriel Obertan.

“My favourite games were the European nights when I went up there with my dad and brother.”

Over the summer, Davis also put himself in the shop window to one day make a move to St James’ Park despite the permanent £28m addition of Lewis Hall, who himself is also a Newcastle fan.

Davis doubled down on his love for Newcastle and said: “St James Park.” When asked about his dream stadium to play at.

He added: “It’s incredible how it had (Newcastle’s fortunes) turned around. Everyone up there in Newcastle is so happy at the minute. Yeah, definitely (whether he dreams of playing for the club).”