West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis admits it will be difficult to obtain Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson.
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis has again stated his intention to acquire the signature of key Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Pulis said: “We’ve had enquiries for Ben and we’ve had enquiries for other players as well. We’ll see how those other enquiries go, but I think it’s going to be very hard to get Ben out of Middlesbrough.”
Gibson featured in every single Premier League match last season, and despite Boro’s relegation the centre-back emerged from the rubble with an enhanced reputation, a call up to the England squad and potential suitors to boot.
Ben Gibson is the nephew of long-term Chairman and Owner of the club Steve Gibson, who places a high valuation on the shoulders of the young Englishman – rejecting a previous West Brom bid of approximately £20m according to The Express.
Pulis further explained his take on the situation: “Ben is a smashing player and I am sure Middlesbrough will want to keep him. Steve Gibson has had a right go and ploughed a lot of money again into the playing side.”
“They’ll be looking to get promoted again and you can understand they do not want to get rid of him.”
WBA will be keen to secure the deal to rectify the issue of an ageing defence in their pursuit for continued Premier League consistency.
On the other hand, Boro have had a solid transfer window to date and are undoubtedly taking a hard stance on Gibson as they see him as pivotal to achieving their ambitions of automatic promotion from the Championship at the first time of asking.