Everton transfer news: Toffees to target Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson if they do not manage to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton
EVERTON will target Ben Gibson if their bid to sign Virgil van Dijk falls through.
The Dutch defender, 25, was signed from Celtic by Ronald Koeman when he was Saints boss.
And now he is keen to reunite with Van Dijk on Merseyside.
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A big stumbling block would be the price though. Southampton value Van Dijk at £50million, with the defender also reportedly attracting interest from Manchester City and Chelsea.
So Middlesbrough defender Gibson would also be targeted in the event of a failed bid for Van Dijk.
Gibson, who is the nephew of Boro chairman Steve Gibson, has been at the club since he was a teenager. After loan spells at Plymouth, York and Tranmere, the 23-year-old has made 121 appearances for Boro.
He is seen as the future of the club and possibly even an England international in years to come – and only recently signed a five-year deal at the Riverside.
It is no coincidence he has been playing and Boro have conceded only 22 goals this term – the same number as Manchester City and Arsenal.
But as Everton push for a higher standard of European football, they could be in the mix for better talent, after selling John Stones to Manchester City in the summer.
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According to , Burnely defender Michael Keane is also being watched by the Toffees, as they look to shore up their back line.
Everton signed Ashley Williams from Swansea in the summer, but have until this week gone on an inconsistent run of not being able to string two wins together.
Koeman said in December: “Everyone knows we want to change. I am hoping to do some business.”