In World Cup year Manchester City may not be best move for Boro’s Gibson

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Manchester City consider move for Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson but in a World Cup year would that actually be the best choice for the defender?

Manchester City are ready to turn their attention to Middlesbrough captain Ben Gibson if their pursuit of West Bromwich Albion’s Jonny Evans fails, reports the Independent.

City have already had an opening bid of £18m rejected for the Baggies skipper and it’s feared at the Etihad Stadium that West Brom may demand upwards of £30m for Evans.

Leicester City FC forward Islam Slimani (L) fights for the ball with West Bromwich Albion defender Jonny Evans (R) during the Premier League Asia Trophy.

If so then they will instead make a £20m offer for Gibson, with the Boro defender keen to return to the Premier League following his side’s relegation in 2016/17.

Apparently Pep Guardiola wants cover for the injury-prone Vincent Kompany at the back and wants to sign a player with homegrown credentials that meet UEFA regulations.

Yet if true, that is why Gibson should perhaps avoid the Citizens, regardless of the impressive wage packet and opportunity to win major trophies that they offer.

The reason the 24-year-old wants to return to the top flight is to give himself the best chance of breaking into Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

However, playing understudy to Kompany until the Belgian is injured will not necessarily achieve that. Just ask Fabian Delph, who has seen his own international career stall along with his domestic playing time following a 2015 transfer from Aston Villa.

Ben Gibson of Middlesbrough wears a face mask during the Sky Bet Championship match against Nottingham Forest.

Not that Guardiola doesn’t put faith in English players, with John Stones and Kyle Walker a key part of the team so far this season, but they were signed for the starting XI because the Spaniard believed they were the best options for the role, not because of their nationality – although that was surely a bonus.

Being backup choice to Evans and cover for Kompany should not fill Gibson with confidence of playing time with City, even in a new wing-back system that utilises three central defenders.