Former Stoke City loanee Bruno Martins Indi would cost West Brom half as much as Middlesbrough captain Ben Gibson.
In case you hadn’t noticed, English players come with a premium. If you want to sign a rising, homegrown talent, you should be prepared for his value to rocket through the roof, the decimal point shifted one place to the right.
It’s a point summed up by the fact that Middlesbrough will demand around £30 million for centre-back and skipper Ben Gibson (The Telegraph), a player with one Premier League season under his belt. Did we mention that season ended in relegation? In March, Gibson was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup qualifier with Lithuania, ramping up his price tag once more.
Gibson is good but £30m good?
It’s little surprise West Brom are interested in one of the nation’s most promising young defenders, given that manager Tony Pulis is keen to reinforce a backline in need of a long-term successor for 37-year-old Gareth McAuley.
However, The Telegraph reports that The Baggies have baulked at Boro’s asking price, one that would require West Brom to more than double the £13 million they paid Tottenham for Nacer Chadli a year ago.
Half the price?
And Gibson would also cost vastly more than Bruno Martins Indi, perhaps the clearest indication of the madcap nature of the current Premier League transfer market. According to Football Oranje, West Brom are attempting to overtake frontrunners Crystal Palace in the race for the Porto centre-back, who impressed last season on loan at Stoke City.
Martins Indi was a solid addition for Stoke
Despite winning 34 caps for The Netherlands, featuring in a World Cup semi-final and also playing Champions League football for Porto and Feyenoord, the report claims Martins Indi would cost just £13 million.
Therefore, although there’s no doubting Gibson’s potential, the Dutchman appears far greater value for money for West Brom.
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