The Gazette Live have suggested that Middlesbrough are chasing the signature of Bristol City centre-half Aden Flint for a fee of around £5 million, but this could lead to repercussions for Boro’s central defender Ben Gibson, who is thought to have attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs.
Gibson has reportedly been tracked by a number of Premier League clubs who are thought to want his signature – and although the defender was likely to move from the Riverside anyway, the fact that Boro are chasing Flint suggests that Gibson’s time on the Riverside could be over if Flint is to move from Bristol City up North.
Everton and Southampton are thought to be interested in bringing Gibson to the Premier League and with the young defender being on the cusp of the England squad, a move to the top-flight would help him realise his full potential to try and orchestrate a move into the Three Lions’ squad.
Flint is a towering cente-half, renowned for his goalscoring prowess and dominant displays from the back and if he was to move to Teeside, he would be well-liked by Boro’s fanbase.
The tall, commanding defender offers a real aerial presence from set pieces but is also nifty with his feet and would be a valuable addition to Middlesbrough if Tony Pulis’ side wanted to play the ball out from the back. Supposedly, the defender isn’t short of admirers and it would be no surprise if another team came into hijack any deal for Flint, with West Brom already thought to be keen.