This article is part of Football League World’s ‘What does the future hold?’ series, this content strand is where we evaluate and subjectively debate a player's future at their current club...

Preston North End are enjoying a promising campaign in the Championship, with Alex Neil’s side having established themselves firmly in the mix of the teams chasing a top six finish this term.

One of main reasons why Preston have managed to get themselves in the top six this season, has been the continued excellent form of defender Ben Davies, who has helped the Lilywhites become one of the most difficult sides to break down in the Championship.

Davies has been an integral part of their defence alongside summer signing Patrick Bauer, and he has demonstrated his quality to put is body on the line in the penalty area, making 4.5 clearances and averaging 1 block per ninety minutes this season, while he has also maintained a 75.2% passing accuracy, according to Whoscored.

Therefore, given Davies’ potential to provide not only a defensive presence but also quality in possession, it is no surprise to see that the defender has been starting to attract the attentions of clubs in the Premier League – and he has been linked with a potential move to all three of Everton, Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion.

That suggests that it is highly likely that there will be a lot of interest in Davies once again come the summer transfer window, with the defender seemingly destined to be heading to the Premier League within the next season or two.

That could well turn out to be with Preston, were the Lilywhites to go on and secure promotion to the Premier League when the season resumes, which would put Neil’s side in a strong position in terms of being able to keep hold of him and make him a regular in the top-flight.

However, if the Lilywhites were to miss out on promotion to the Premier League then Davies’ future looks like it could well be away from Deepdale, and there is the potential for him to develop into a very consistent performer in the top flight in the next few years.