Report: Everton to rival Burnley for Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson following Ashley Williams exit

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With Ashley Williams having joined Stoke, Everton are now ready to rival Burnley for Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson.

The confirmation that Ashley Williams has joined Stoke City on loan for the next season now means that Everton will focus their attention on signing a replacement.

And according to the Northern Echo, that could see the Toffees rivalling Burnley for the signature of Ben Gibson from Middlesbrough.

The Clarets have already had an opening £11million offer for Gibson rejected, with the centre-back having been valued at much higher than that in the recent past.

Boro do not have their own valuation as they are keen not to sell the 25-year-old, but in June TEAMtalk reported that it would cost £25m to sign the Englishman.

At that time it was claimed up to six Premier League sides were interested in Gibson, but that seems to have cooled and Burnley were the only realistic prospect until Williams’ departure.

Now Everton are back in the hunt and have the defender among a list of targets that also includes Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles.