The Sun reports that Premier League side Southampton are lining up a £20million move for Middlesbrough central defender Ben Gibson. Boro suffered defeat in the play-offs to Aston Villa, and their key players are now being linked with summer moves as a result.
Tony Pulis is hoping to keep his squad together as they look to mount another strong challenge at the top of the Sky Bet Championship in his first full season at the helm. Adama Traore, their best forward, has been touted with a move too, with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur linked. Gibson, who has ten England Under-21 caps, is another that might depart.
Mark Hughes helped keep the Saints in the Premier League after some positive results towards the end of the campaign. It is not for certain he himself will remain at the club next season, as he only had a short-term deal, however he has expressed his desire to stay on, which does seem likely. Wanting to avoid a repeat of a relegation struggle, he wants to boost a defence, and ultimately replace Virgil van Dijk, who left for Champions League finalists Liverpool in January. Alfie Mawson of Swansea City is another possible target for Hughes.
25-year-old Gibson has been linked with a move away from the Riverside Stadium before, as recently as a year ago. Southampton were mentioned as an interested party back then too, as were West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City, who will be playing alongside Boro in the Sky Bet Championship next season following their relegations. Gibson, who has previously been called up to the England squad, has spent his entire career with the club, and the club chairman is Steve Gibson, his uncle.