Southampton have been one of the most mentioned clubs in the transfer market this summer and it is not for their interest in top players. In fact, the English club has become popular in their stance against selling their star player Virgil van Dijk this summer. However, the Dutch international has now handed in a transfer request, which ties the club’s hands and Mauricio Pellegrino has now started making plans for life without VVD.
There are a few players extensively linked with a move to the club recently but one name now doing the round around the St Marys’ is Ben Gibson.
Soton want Gibson to replace VVD
The Saints have one of the most reliable backlines at the moment but the loss of Van Dijk will push them back a bit. But the money they will get on his sale will allow them to find the right replacement and it is understood that Ben Gibson could be the man to take the responsibilities.
According to reports, Southampton are ready to make a £30m bid for Ben Gibson in the upcoming days. Gibson is also wanted by West Bromwich Albion, who are ready to meet his asking price, so should Southampton hurry up?
Gibson and his potential:
A product of the academy at Middlesbrough, Gibson was pushed into the first team at the Riverside back in 2010, but he spent more than three of those years on loan at three different English clubs. He only established himself in the first team in 2014 and has ever since been the first choice at the club.
He helped them to promotion but could not keep his side in the top flight for more than a season, and is now reportedly ready to move back to the Premier League this summer. The Baggies have been desperate for his signature for a while now but Southampton might be able to steal him away.
Known for his strength and the keen understanding of the game, Gibson is a disciplined defender who hardly gives the ball away or fouls his opponents. He is still a bit fragile from crosses but his positioning sense allows him to stay ahead of the opponent. He has 103 Championship appearances and 38 Premier League appearances, playing every game for Boro in the previous season.
First team chances
The report claims that Southampton want Gibson as a replacement for Van Dijk but the Middlesbrough man is far from the beast that the former Celtic man has turned into at the St Marys. Gibson needs to work on a lot of things in his game and will be a liability against top sides in the competition.
But Southampton have very few options in the transfer market and Gibson’s age and experience in England make him one of the best option for the Saints. But is he right man to replace VVD?
