West Brom consider fourth bid for Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson.
The latest of those offers was a club record £21m, including add-ons, but Boro believe their star asset is worth far more than that.
Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson celebrates scoring their first goal
In fact the recently relegated team think that Gibson is valued in the region of what Everton paid Burnley for Michael Keane at the start of July – an initial fee of £25m that could rise to £30m, as reported by the BBC.
The Baggies have not given up hope of signing the 24-year-old, though, and are determined to seal a deal for the centre-back before the transfer window closes.
Middlesbrough are in a strong position, however, as despite being relegated from the Premier League the money they received from TV rights sees them with a healthy bank balance and chairman Steve Gibson – Ben’s uncle – has already backed new manager Garry Monk with significant transfer funds.
Steve and Monk also want Gibson to stay and will offer him a bumper new contract at the Riverside to try and achieve that, but the defender told Sky Sports back in May that he wants to continue playing in the English top flight.
According to the Mirror, both Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in the Boro star and are keeping tabs on the situation.
Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson applauds fans after the game
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