Everton prioritise signing Middlesbrough ace

Everton have reportedly set their sights on securing the signature of Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson after ending their interest in Newcastle United's Jamaal Lascelles.

Toffees boss Marco Silva had initially identified Lascelles as an option to bolster the central defence but the interest from the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham appears to have put them off from lodging an offer.

According to The Northern Echo, the Tyneside outfit will now concentrate on acquiring the services of Gibson instead with the Englishman likely to be available for a fee of around £20m.

The 25-year-old impressed during Boro's Premier League stint between 2016 and 2017 and he was likewise impressive for Tony Pulis' side last term where they reached the Championship playoffs.

Gibson had turned down interest from multiple top-flight clubs in order to stay put with Boro last summer but this may not be the case this time around with the defender keen on pushing for a national team berth.