Newcastle United are reportedly interested in Burnley defender Ben Gibson and Magpies manager Steve Bruce could bring him in January. Gibson, who previously played for Middlesbrough, has found it tough to break into the Burnley team, playing just 6 games in two seasons.
According to TeamTalk, Burnley are willing to let go of Gibson and Newcastle may make a loan offer in the January transfer window. The 26-year-old was signed in the 2018 summer transfer window for a fee of £15 million.
Gibson came through the ranks at Middlesbrough, making over 200 appearances for the side in the Championship and the Premier League, before earning a move back to the Premier League with Burnley. The defender has three years remaining on his current deal at Burnley, which expires in 2022.
A good option for Bruce?
After a slow start to the season, Newcastle seemed to turn things around with a win against Manchester United, but the Magpies are in the relegation zone, with 8 points from 9 games. Steve Bruce’s side have not been good at the back, conceding 14 goals in 9 games in the league this season.
While centre backs Fabian Schär and Jamaal Lascelles have done well at the back, the rest of the defence has looked shaky over the season. Bruce needs to strengthen his backline as well as his attack, and Gibson could be a safe move.
A loan move means that Newcastle don’t have the burden of a huge contract if they do go down, while it also gives them an opportunity to look at a player that has had little football over the last year. Gibson can play at centre back or left-back and is a player who is solid in defence.
The Englishman is good in the air, while also being quick to make interceptions and clearances. Gibson is a good passer from the back.
He would fit in well in Newcastle’s 5-man defence and would complement Schär and Lascelles as a left-footed center back. The signing of Gibson would be a good move and one that would give Bruce more options in defence for the second half of the Premier League season.