Middlesbrough signing Aden Flint could pave way for Southampton to sign Ben Gibson

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Middlesbrough have been linked with Bristol City’s Aden Flint.

According to a report by the Daily Mirror (live transfer thread, June 19 at 20:06), Middlesbrough are set to table a £5 million bid for Bristol City defender Aden Flint – a deal which could benefit Southampton.

Flint only signed a new three-and-a-half deal with the Robins last December, yet Boro boss Tony Pulis is a bid admirer of the 6ft 6inch defender and seems intent on signing him this summer.

The talented centre-back is a key figure for Bristol City and the club certainly wouldn’t want to lose him on the cheap, but Boro arguably have more realistic promotion aspirations this term and finances to help them.

The Teesside club still have parachute payments and of the three Championship playoff semi-finalists who fell short last term, they are certainly in the best position to strengthen again this summer.

Boro signing Flint would make them among the favourites for automatic promotion this coming season, though there is a possibility that he could be targeted as a direct replacement for Ben Gibson.

Should Pulis seal a deal for the City fans favourite, then Southampton could benefit greatly as his potential arrival at the Riverside Stadium could clear a path for them to sign the £20 million rated centre-back.

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A report in The Sun last month claimed the Saints had targeted Gibson as a replacement for Virgil van Dijk who left the south coast club for Liverpool for a world record transfer fee for a defender last January.

The Boro stopper was linked with Southampton last summer, but after missing out on a move for him then they now seem intent on bringing him in this time around with manager Mark Hughes reportedly a big fan.

Pulis won’t want to lose his star defender, yet £20 million goes a long way in the Championship therefore if they managed to replace him with Flint with cash to spare they may see it as an excellent piece of business.