According to Football Insider, Stoke City are set to complete the signing of Norwich defender Ben Gibson.

As part of Ben Knapper’s ongoing effort to reduce the wage bill and bring down the average age of the team, the 31-year-old was one of five first-team players released by the Canaries at the conclusion of their contracts.

He is available as a free agent and Stoke have wasted no time in agreeing a deal for his signature.

Although Gibson has been linked to a return to his hometown team, Middlesbrough, he is likely to be in great demand this summer.

However, it appears that Stoke will beat out a number of teams to sign the experienced defender.

Following the signing of goalkeeper Viktor Johansson from Rotherham on a three-year deal, Gibson will be Stoke’s second summer addition.

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After flirting with relegation last season, Steven Schumacher’s team have identified the former Norwich man as their target to help improve the team.

Luke McNally, who finished the season on loan from Burnley after making 38 appearances, and Ciaran Clark, 34, who started three games under Alex Neil amid an injury crisis, were the two center halves that Schumacher lost from his 2023–24 side.

Stoke City are singing a seasoned player

Including his loan period, Gibson played for Norwich for four years.

During that time, he made 124 appearances for the team and in his debut season, aided in their promotion to the Premier League.

Stoke City are getting an experienced defender who could help make their defensive unit organised and disciplined.

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Liverpool lead Norwich 2-1 at Anfield in the FA Cup fourth-round after two quickfire goals went in for both teams. 

The Reds took the lead in the tie after 16 minutes when Curtis Jones headed in a James McConnell pass.

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That lead would only last six minutes as Ben Gibson stunned Anfield by heading in a corner for Norwich.

Six minutes later, Nunez would finish off a lovely team move with a brilliant finish as the Uruguay star’s good run of form continues.

?? Pandemonium amongst the travelling Norwich fans!

? Ben Gibson sparks jubilant celebrations as his near post header gets them back on level terms!#ITVFootball | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/N5Uxxd1wAi

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 28, 2024

Rising ?

Ben Gibson heads in for @NorwichCityFC ?#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/brydVUD1h9

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 28, 2024

Never in doubt ?@Darwinn99 with the finish for @LFC!#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/S9frlCRPFD

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 28, 2024

Created in County Tyrone, finished in Uruguay

Darwin Nunez restores Liverpool's lead after superb, determined work from academy graduate Conor Bradley#ITVFootball | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/SVYQphIxrz

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 28, 2024

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After trailing by fives goals to nill, if Daniel Farke’s afternoon couldn’t get any worse – it has now.

Defender Ben Gibson has been shown a second yellow card following a poorly timed challenge on Chelsea’s Reece James.

The centre-back, who picked up a card just after the half-time break, quickly racked up his second card and was subsequently sent packing by referee Andy Madley.

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Goals from Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-odoi, James and Ben Chilwell, as well as an unfortunate own goal, have set the Blues well on their way to retaining their top spot in the Premier League table.

Pictures courtesy of +Sport Direct

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Leeds United are reportedly one of the clubs in the running to clinch the transfer of Burnley defender Ben Gibson this summer.

The Elland Road outfit will be desperate to win promotion in the 2019/20 campaign after coming so close last season before a surprise late slump in form saw them lose the Championship playoff semi-final.

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Gibson looks an experienced and proven name to come in and help a team like Leeds, though he’s also a target for Premier League sides in this transfer window.

Both Newcastle and Aston Villa are said to be keen on a swoop for Gibson if Burnley will let him go, according to the Northern Echo.

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One imagines the 26-year-old would no doubt prefer to remain playing in the top flight, though he might get more playing opportunities at Leeds and then guide them back to that level anyway.

It will be interesting to see how this saga develops and if Leeds can make a real statement by beating two Premier League sides to this exciting deal.

The post Leeds United in contention to BEAT Premier League duo to quality transfer to aid promotion push appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester City are eager on bringing 24-year-old Middlesbrough and England U21’s defender Ben Gibson to the club, however any offer for the player will have to be proceeding £20M, according to the Daily Mail.

Middlesbrough, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, have already rejected an offer of £20M for Gibson from West Brom, with boss Garry Monk insisting that the player will not be sold unless the Championship club receive an exceptional offer, as per the Daily Mail.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Boro mad Gibson has been on the radar of City boss Pep Guardiola for a number of months, however it is thought that the club have been considering more experienced options.

Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton have all been following Gibson’s development over the past year report the Daily Mail, with the Boro star remaining focused on trying to help the club bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Should Gibson make the move from Middlesbrough to Manchester, it’ll surely put City fans at ease, as the Citizens looks to put the defensive troubles they faced last season behind them.

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West Brom are reportedly refusing to give up on their pursuit for 24-year-old Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson, despite Boro continuing to play hardball over a deal for the player, according to the Express & Star.

Baggies boss Tony Pulis has reportedly already seen three bids for Gibson rejected, with the most recent offer being worth around £21M in total, as per the Express & Star.

However West Brom, who finished 10th in the Premier League last season, are not willing to give up on Gibson, with the club set to go back in for the defender as Baggies manager Pulis looks to strengthen his defence ahead of this season, as reported by the Express & Star.

Boro are reportedly set to offer Gibson a new and improved deal at the Riverside in an attempt to try and keep the defender at the club, report the Express & Star.

Should Gibson end up making the move to the Midlands and signing for the Baggies, it’ll be surely give the West Brom defence a breath of fresh air as Tony Pulis’ side look to improve on their impressive 10th place finish last season.

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Tottenham are eyeing up both Alfie Mawson and Ben Gibson as replacements for the outgoing Kevin Wimmer, according to the Mirror.

Wimmer, who joined Spurs from Bundesliga side 1. FC Köln in 2015, is set to be sold by Spurs in order to help balance the books, with fellow Premier League side Southampton, along with numerous Bundesliga clubs, reportedly interested in the 24-year-old Austrian, reports the Mirror.

Tottenham are reportedly after £20M for the Austrian, who had struggled to break into the Tottenham team since arriving at White Hart Lane more than two years ago, as reported by the Mirror.

As per the Mirror, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is eager to improve the strength in depth of his squad, and is interested in bringing either Swansea man Mawson or Middlesbrough defender Gibson in order to give him greater defensive options.

If Spurs do end up replacing Wimmer with either Gibson or Mawson, it’ll almost certainly help improve the Spurs defence as they challenge for the title next season.

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Former Premier League champions Leicester City are set to be patient in their pursuit for Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson, as they believe Boro’s £25M valuation to be too high, according to the Sun. 

Leicester have been told by recently relegated Boro that it will cost them £25M if they wish to secure the services of Gibson, who played in every game for Middlesbrough last season, and are willing to play the waiting game in order to get their man, as reported by the Sun.

As per the Sun, Gibson is one of a few on Leicester’s radar as they look to bolster their defensive options for the upcoming season, with Premier League rivals Everton, Tottenham and Southampton also looking to sign the defender, however all three are willing to wait for Boro to lower their asking price for the defender.

Whichever club Gibson ends up at, they’re sure to have a quality defender on their hands.

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Liverpool are reportedly back in the race for Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson after being forced to give up on Virgil van Dijk.

Jurgen Klopp is undoubtedly prioritising a central defender this summer, as he needs to shore things up at the back at Anfield next season if they are to be real Premier League and Champions League contenders.

It appeared as though Van Dijk would be the man to fill that void, although after Southampton complained of an illegal approach from the Reds for the Dutch international, Liverpool were forced to publicly apologise and withdraw their interest.

According to The Sun, they will now switch their focus to Gibson, who is also attracting interest from Tottenham, West Brom and Leicester City, while Boro are said to be looking for £20m in order to allow him to leave the Riverside Stadium.

In addition, it’s added that Burnley defender Michael Keane is also on Klopp’s radar, and so it remains to be seen who the German tactician opts to pursue this summer with one of the two needed, if not another defender if Liverpool fail in their attempts to sign both.

Gibson will arguably be the easier to obtain after Middlesbrough’s relegation this past season, but as the nephew of owner Steve Gibson, he will be seen as a key component in helping the club gain immediate promotion.

Liverpool conceded 42 goals in 38 Premier League games last season, with only Arsenal letting in more out of the top six sides. In turn, if they wish to bridge that gap to Chelsea and Tottenham and other rivals, then they’ll have to become more solid at the back and either Gibson or Keane would address that.

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Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson will not be sold this summer with Liverpool and Chelsea facing real transfer disappointment, according to reports.

The 24-year-old has been a key figure for Boro this season despite their relegation as he also received his first senior England call-up, but the club will now face a fight to keep their top players at the Riverside Stadium next year.

However, according to The Daily Mail, owner Steve Gibson has no intention of letting his nephew move on and hopes that he will spearhead their bid to gain immediate promotion back to the Premier League.

It’s added that both Chelsea and Liverpool had earmarked the England U21 ace as a possible summer signing to bolster their respective backlines, but it sounds as though the club’s owner will do everything he can to convince the central defender to remain on Teeside for one more season at least.

If true, that’s a disappointing blow for both interested parties, as Antonio Conte and Jurgen Klopp will be looking to strengthen where possible this summer.

Despite winning the Premier League title and with a possible FA Cup triumph still to come, Chelsea will need to add quality and depth ahead of returning to the Champions League next season.

As for Liverpool, their defensive record hasn’t been great, especially compared to the sides around them in the table, and given they will hope to be preparing for the Champions League too this summer, Klopp will need to plug some gaps at the back and add more quality.

However, it looks as though both clubs will have to look elsewhere, unless they can test Middlesbrough’s resolve with a big-money bid if they are set on Gibson being the long-term solution for them.

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