Southampton set to make £30m move for Middlesbrough star Ben Gibson to replace Virgil van Dijk
SOUTHAMPTON are set to step up their pursuit of Middlesbrough star Ben Gibson to replace wantaway Virgil van Dijk.
The South Coast side were rocked today after the Dutch defender handed in a formal transfer request.
Chelsea and Liverpool along with Manchester City are fighting it out for the £50m-rated ace.
Now, Saints may be forced into selling him, not wanting a player who clearly wants to quit the club to unsettle the squad.
And England centre-back Gibson is seen as the perfect replacement after a stellar Premier League campaign last season.
Boro do not want to sell the 24-year-old, but could be persuaded into flogging their prize asset if a bid of £30m comes in.
But Southampton believe they can lure him with the promise of regular top flight football and a potential Three Lions World Cup spot.
West Brom boss Tony Pulis is also interested in Gibson, who faced Wolves for Boro on Saturday in a 1-0 loss.
LATEST SOUTHAMPTON NEWS
And Garry Monk is already looking at bringing in a replacement after leaving the No5 shirt free when naming his side’s squad list.
He said: "I would like Southampton to consider the interest in me from top clubs should it still exist.
"I have been left frustrated by the club's position that I am not for sale and am disappointed that enquiries from multiple top clubs have been consistently rebuffed.
"I am incredibly ambitious and want to achieve as much as I possibly can to fulfil my potential in what is a very short career as a professional footballer.
"I can confirm that I was asked about my frame of mind and for all of the reasons mentioned above I was open and honest in saying that I did not feel I was in a settled mindset given the circumstances.
Ben Gibson - the man Saints want to be their new defensive talisman
- Ben Gibson was born in Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough on January 15 1993
- He is the nephew of Boro chairman Steve Gibson
- Gibson learnt his trade in the lower leagues with loan spells at Plymouth, York and Tranmere
- He made his Boro debut against Coventry in April 2011 and has played over 150 games since
- After losing in the play-off final the previous season, Gibson played a key role in helping Middlesbrough to win promotion from the Championship in 2016
- Gibson appeared in all 38 Premier League matches for Boro as they were relegated last season
- He has represented England at U17, U18, U20 and U21 level and received his first senior call-up in March
"As a proud professional I am insulted by the suggestion that it was me who refused to train and so feel it is important to point out the true version of events."
Gibson came through the youth ranks at Middlesbrough where he has gone on to captain the club and make 141 league appearances.
Have you signed up to play fantasy football yet?
If the answer is no you need to take a long, hard look at yourself.
Because the Dream Team game – the UK’s biggest fantasy football game – is back and better than ever this season.
You’ve got a £50m budget to pick 11 players, with all the biggest new signings ready and raring to go ahead of a mouthwatering new Premier League campaign.
So what are you waiting for?
