Dundalk's Davies will only leave for the right price
Archie Davies could leave the Lilywhites if asking price is matched
Dundalk FC manager Jon Daly admits that Archie Davies could be among the exits at Oriel Park this month – but only if the club’s asking price for their star right-back is met.
Davies’ contract with The Lilywhites expires at the end of the current season, at which point he would be allowed to depart on a free transfer, with Dundalk chiefs believed to be keen to cash in on the 25-year-old Englishman while they have the opportunity.
English League Two side Carlisle United are understood to be in pole position to acquire his services, after Scottish Premiership outfit Motherwell had a bid rejected last month.
Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic have shown interest domestically, however Daly doesn’t expect the ex-Brighton & Hove Albion man to stay in Ireland should he move on.
“He’s an excellent footballer and he’s done really well since he’s come in,” he said. “He’s a player that I was trying to sign when I was at Pats. I think everyone in the league has probably contacted me since I’ve taken the job, asking about his availability, but Archie has no interest in going anywhere else in the league.
“I think if he is going to go, it’s going to be across the water and it’s going to have to be for a price that works for everyone. He knows where we are with that.”
After joining Dundalk at the beginning of last season, following spells with Brighton, Crawley Town and Aldershot Town, Davies enjoyed a remarkable maiden campaign at Oriel, at the end of which he was crowned The 1903 Supporters Club Player of the Year.
“Do we want to lose Archie Davies? Of course we don’t, but football is a business as well at the end of the day,” admitted Daly.
“My job then is to try and find the next Archie Davies. They got him from Aldershot and I think when he came in, people probably would have looked at that and thought, you’re signing a player from Aldershot, but then look how well he’s done.
“There’s no doubt there’s plenty more Archie Davies’ out there that you can go and find. It’s just my job to try and find them.”
Daly says he has got potential replacements readied for Davies, should he move on, adding: “Listen, I’m very, very switched on to the fact that if someone comes in with the right offer for Archie, he’s going to go, so I have got people in mind and I have got somebody kind of lined up ready to go but, ultimately, that player could be gone tomorrow if something else comes up for him, so it’s trying to weigh up the options and making sure that you’re well covered and that you have got people lined up.
“So we have got targets there. At the start of the window when I came in, it wasn’t a position I was honestly looking at, but obviously as the window has gone on, I’ve been very aware that something could happen.
“I’ve probably had more phone calls with Archie’s agent than my wife over the last week, so I know where they stand and I know where the club are on it as well. As I said, we’re not looking to lose him, we don’t want to lose him, but we’re obviously aware that it may happen.”
Quizzed on whether Dundalk’s asking price for Davies – believed to be close to €100,000 – had been met to date, Daly replied: “No”.