West Bromwich Albion are looking to sign the defender from their Premier League rivals, but may have to pay around £30 million to make a deal happen.
Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson
A report from the Birmingham Mail has suggested that West Brom have become the latest Premier League club to register an interest in highly-rated Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson.
The Mail reports that Tony Pulis wants to bolster his defensive ranks at the end of the season following Jonas Olsson’s recent departure, and has identified the 24-year-old as the kind of player he wants to bring to the Hawthorns.
However, it looks as though it will not be easy to land Gibson. Despite Boro being seemingly on the verge of being relegated from the top flight, their defence has been extremely impressive and is currently the best in the bottom-half of the table, so dropping out of the division is unlikely to do any damage to the centre-back’s reputation.
In fact, West Brom in eighth have only conceded one less goal than Middlesbrough in 19th. And with Gareth McAuley now 37, the Baggies understandably need to add to their options at the back.
West Brom manager Tony Pulis
The Telegraph reported earlier this month that Gibson – who was also attracting attention from Leicester and Liverpool as well as some other top flight sides – is likely to cost around £30 million, so Pulis will surely have to be certain that he is the right man to help the Baggies build on the promise they have shown this season.
But based on his form throughout this season, it would hardly be a surprise if, if he does move on from the Riverside Stadium, his subsequent performances go on to justify a club’s decision to pay the hefty price.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
