West Bromwich Albion are set to splash up to £21 million to land Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson this summer.
The Baggies reportedly submitted a bid of £18 million upfront and £3 million in add-ons for the player. However, Boro, who relegated to the Championship, rejected the improved bid for the third time.
The club chair Steve Gibson, who is also the player’s uncle, prefers to sell the top rated player to a top Premier League side. Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for the player but that would depend on if Spurs would sell Kevin Wimmer this summer.
Gibson was invited to the Three Lions team few months back after his impressive display for Boro. He played in all 38 games for the club last term before they were relegated from the top flight. The Albions have no choice than to pay up if they want to seal the deal ahead of the new season.
Coach Tony Pulis is hoping to increase the depth of his team, which just returned from a pre-season tournament in Hong Kong, by at least two players. A deal for Gibson and a permanent move for Marc Wilson are the potential ones to be done. Wilson came from Bournemouth on loan in the second half of the season but Pulis could make the deal a permanent one. The 29-year old Rep of Ireland international is expected to cost The Hawthornsaround £1 million.
Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs was linked with a move to West Brom but the coach has dismissed such. Gibbs is now likely to move to league rivals Watford. Pulis is looking for an experienced player that can replace Darren Fletcher who moved to Stoke City. Fabian Delph and Gareth Barry seem like a long shot for the Baggies so the manager is taking time to search for the best replacement.