Arsenal and West Ham United are reportedly vying for Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson.
Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson applauds fans
According to the London Evening Standard, West Ham United are interested in signing Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson this summer, with Arsenal also keen.
Boro have struggled for goals in the Premier League this season, with just 19 goals to their name – by far the lowest total in the top flight this term.
Whilst Aitor Karanka’s men have found putting the ball in the net difficult, they have been impressive at the other end of the pitch, conceding just 30 goals in 27 games.
That’s the best defensive record in the bottom half of the table, and only four teams have conceded few goals – Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City and Manchester United.
The leader of the Boro defence is centre back Ben Gibson, who played a key role in the club’s promotion to the top flight last season before becoming a star Premier League defender this season.
Gibson, 24, is the nephew of Boro chairman Steve Gibson, and his outstanding performances have seen him tipped for a call-up to the England squad under former Boro manager Gareth Southgate.
The left-footed centre back has played every single minute of Middlesbrough’s Premier League campaign, and the London Evening Standard now report that Arsenal and West Ham United are both keen to sign him at the end of the season.
Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson in action with Arsenal’s Francis Coquelin
Whilst Middlesbrough’s possible relegation could weaken their position, it’s stated that they would use John Stones’ move to Manchester City last summer as a gauge for their valuation of Gibson, and they will slap a £30m price on his head.
That may well be beyond West Ham this summer, whilst manager Slaven Bilic does already have Winston Reid, Angelo Ogbonna, James Collins and January signing Jose Fonte at his disposal in the heart of defence.
As talented as Gibson is, it’s hard to see West Ham splashing so much money on him unless Reid leaves this summer, with Arsenal almost certainly in a better position to land one of English football’s top young centre backs.
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