Everton appear to be fighting West Brom and rivals Liverpool for Middlesbrough centre-back Ben Gibson – and now Boro boss Garry Monk has had his say.
Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson
With Middlesbrough hoping to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt with Garry Monk now appointed to call the shots, it’s hardly surprising that the new manager is determined to keep the best players at his disposal.
And Ben Gibson is certainly that. The fact that Boro’s influential captain was called up by England in March despite the club heading for relegation speaks volumes about his performances in the face of adversity last season.
And the 24-year-old appears to have piqued the interest of a number of top flight clubs, as a result, The Sun claiming that Gibson was one of the defenders on Everton manager Ronald Koeman’s radar.
The Telegraph adds that West Brom are also interested while Liverpool have been tipped to make a move with their deal for Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk lying in ruins.
However, it appears that Everton and co may have a challenge on their hands convincing Boro to sell – they have no financial pressure after all despite Gibson likely to fetch upwards of £20 million.
“Ben is one of a number of players here who are integral to the squad,” Monk said of the defender, nephew of owner Steve Gibson, as reported by The Mirror.
Middlesbrough manager Garry Monk
“It’s important that you keep your best players, and important you’re able to keep a core together and give yourself the best possible opportunity of reaching the club’s ambition, which is to go back to the Premier League.
“Ben is a big part of that. It’s important that we keep our best players, and the club are in agreement with that.”
With Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams both on the wrong side of 30, Everton are understood to be targeting a more youthful addition to their defence this summer.
Everton need a long-term replacement for Phil Jagielka
And Gibson is exactly the kind of no-nonsense, committed centre-back that Koeman is looking out for. However, the 6ft 1ins stopper is a local lad, born and raised in Boro.
Therefore, his loyalty, and Boro’s stubbornness, may stand in the way of a deal.
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