Everton are keen on signing Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson, according to the Northern Echo.
The Toffees have been interested in signing Newcastle United defender Jamal Lascelles but are now believed to be turning their attention to Ben Gibson.
Championship side Middlesbrough are bracing themselves for interest in the 25-year-old defender. They could resign to losing him this summer for around £20 million after they failed to gain promotion to the Premier League last season.
The new Everton boss, Marco Silva, is looking to put his own stamp on his newly inherited squad and is eager to add some defensive reinforcements.
Gibson has played for Boro since the age of 12 and could finally leave them this summer. He rose through the youth ranks at the Riverside and has played 203 games for them to date in all competitions. Gibson has also spent time on loan at Plymouth Argyle, York City and Tranmere Rovers.
He impressed for Middlesbrough in the Premier League in the 2016/17 season and earned himself an England call-up. However, he could not prevent them from being relegated in the only campaign he has had in the top flight but was still the subject of strong interest last summer but Boro were able to hold onto him.
This summer could prove harder to keep Gibson and Middlesbrough may have to plan for life without the highly-rated defender.
