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Saints linked with Boro defender

By Nikos Lemanis

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: John O'Shea of Sunderland and Lee Cattermole of Sunderland (Obscured) tackle Ben Gibson of Middlesbrough during the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Sunderland at the Riverside Stadium on April 26, 2017 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: John O'Shea of Sunderland and Lee Cattermole of Sunderland (Obscured) tackle Ben Gibson of Middlesbrough during the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Sunderland at the Riverside Stadium on April 26, 2017 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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The Saints, along with six other Premier League clubs, are reportedly interested in signing Ben Gibson from relegated Middlesbrough.

Most Saints fans are expecting changes within the defensive ranks this summer, and early signs suggest this is going to be the case. With the transfer window less than three weeks old, Cuco Martina, Martin Caceres and academy graduate Jason McCarthy have already left the club.  

Poland under-21 captain Jan Bednarek is also currently undergoing a medical with a view to linking up with the Saints.

And even considering the statement that Southampton are to keep their top players this summer uncertainty about the futures of Cedric, van Dijk and Bertrand remain. In short, it is unlikely that the current defensive roster will remain the same until September 1st.

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The Boro captain is the latest in a line of defenders to be linked to a move to the south coast, and seems certain to leave his boyhood club this summer. With the World Cup on the horizon, Gibson knows he has to be playing in the top tier this season in order to not be overlooked.

New Middlesbrough manager Garry Monk is desperate to keep the 24 year old on Teesside, but it appears he is set to lose that battle.

A product of Middlesbrough’s youth academy, Gibson spent time on loan at York, Tranmere and Plymouth before settling into the first team at the Riverside in the 13/14 season.

Since then he has gone on to make over 150 appearances for the club, helping them to promotion and captaining the side on a number of occasions last season.

Primarily a centre back, Gibson can also play on the left of the back four if required. As part of one of the most beleaguered defences last season, he was among the top 10 Premier League defenders for number of blocked shots and clearances last season.

Although Middlesbrough finished second bottom, ten teams in the league conceded more goals than them. Gibson was a significant reason for that.

He is comfortable on the ball and has a solid passing accuracy rate. His only noticeable weakness is lack of success in aerial duels. At just over 6’ hopefully this is a part of his game he can develop.

A stumbling block to any deal may be the £25m price tag that Boro have placed on Gibson. However it will be interesting to see if the club’s resolve will hold for the duration of the summer.

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