West Bromwich Albion are interested in signing Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson, according to Sky Sports News.
The 24-year-old made his professional debut against Coventry City back in 2011, but it wasn’t until the 2013/14 season that Gibson made his presence known in the Middlesbrough first-team. Last term, the defender revelled in his taste of the Premier League as Gibson was the stand-out performer in a struggling Boro team.
The ex-England U21 international accumulated 38 top-flight appearances, plus a goal against Tottenham Hotspur, as his boyhood club were relegated to the Championship. Gibson’s fine performances in defence attracted the attention of many, including England boss Gareth Southgate as the defender was called-up for his country in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.
Gibson was at the heart of the Middlesbrough defence in the Premier League and it is now reported that West Brom want to keep the defender in the top-flight. Following the Baggies’ 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday, West Brom manager Tony Pulis said, “We have three or four other targets we are desperate for. We are juggling with two at the moment,”
“Hopefully by the time we get back home we will have done those two.”
Gibson is a young, English talent with impressive experience in the Premier League, meaning the West Midlands team must spend big if the defender is to be one of those desperate targets. The Baggies have already added Jay Rodriguez to their squad, but Gibson would bring strength in defence as the club look to build on their surprising 10th placed finish last season.
