Liverpool edge ahead of Tottenham in Ben Davies race

The Swansea City left-back's preference is to be reunited with Brendan Rodgers at Anfield this summer, with the Reds prepared to meet the Welsh club's £10 million asking price.

Liverpool have edged ahead of Tottenham in the race to sign Swansea City left-back Ben Davies, Goal understands.

Though Spurs are understood to have agreed a fee and are prepared to pay more for the youngster up front, the Reds are ready to meet the Swans' £10 million asking price.

Davies's preferred destination is Anfield, with the prospect of Champions League football a big draw as well as working with former Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers in a team who nearly won the Premier League in 2013-14.

Tottenham's interest in the left-back, who has had the better of his battle with Neil Taylor for a place in the Swans' first team, was confirmed by the Welsh club's chairman, Huw Jenkins, earlier in July.

But Spurs, who are the only Premier League team yet to complete a signing so far this summer, are likely to be gazumped by big-spending Liverpool. The Londoners are continuing their attempts to persuade Davies to move to White Hart Lane but fear that even a guaranteed starting role will not be enough to change his mind.

With the return of Champions League football to Anfield and the £70m sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona, Rodgers has already spent close to £60m on Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Emre Can and Lazar Markovic.

The pursuit of Davies is part of a defensive recruitment that also includes a move for Southampton centre-back Dejan Lovren.