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Southampton: Saints to agree Championship swap deal?

By Marc Walker

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Ben Gibson of Middlesbrough in action during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi Final:First Leg match between Middlesbrough and Aston Villa at Riverside Stadium on May 12, 2018 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Ben Gibson of Middlesbrough in action during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi Final:First Leg match between Middlesbrough and Aston Villa at Riverside Stadium on May 12, 2018 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
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Southampton could revive their interest in Middlesbrough Centre-Back Ben Gibson after it emerged the Championship club want to sign Saints Left-Back Sam McQueen.

According to TEAMtalk, Tony Pulis’ side are keen on a number of targets that include McQueen and Southampton could use the deal to bring Gibson to St Mary’s.

The 25-year-old has been a target for Saints in the past and was mentioned again in this window as they looked for defensive additions.

However, the Daily Echo reported on 3rd July that the club had ended their interest in him after pursuing a deal for Borussia Mochengladbach’s Jannik Vestergaard, with the Danish international set to sign next week.

McQueen is likely to be given limited game-time if he stays to fight for his place in Mark Hughes’ squad and could see benefits from a loan spell at one of the second-tier’s top clubs.

Next: Saints officially sign goalkeeper Angus Gunn

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 30: Juan Mata of Manchester United and Sam McQueen of Southampton battle for possession during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford on December 30, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 30: Juan Mata of Manchester United and Sam McQueen of Southampton battle for possession during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford on December 30, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

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His time on the pitch in 2017/18 often came in the final minutes of matches despite a full 90 showing at Old Trafford in the 0-0 draw with Manchester United in December.

Both Ryan Bertrand and Matt Targett look likely to stay on the South Coast for this coming season and will therefore be the first and second-choice Left-Back’s for the season.

Fellow Premier League clubs Everton, West Ham and Leicester City are also said to be tracking Gibson, who has captained Middlesbrough on many occasions in his time in the first-team.

He also spent a season with the Boro in the English top-flight in 2016/17 and has made over 200 appearances in the North-East since his promotion to the first-team in 2013.

Loan spells at Plymouth, York City and Tranmere Rovers saw Gibson gain valuable game time in the lower leagues before returning and fighting for a place in the team at the Riverside Stadium.

He is also the nephew of long-term Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson, who has been in his role at the club since 1994.

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