Rumour Mongering: Reds Target Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson

Sound the klaxons, there’s a new name on the rumour mill! Sort of. A name that hasn’t been mentioned in at least four weeks, at least. With the van Dijk contract (probably) dead but not forgotten and other rumours about defenders not really picking up steam, we’re definitely due a new one. And The Newspaper That Should Never Be Named is happy to provide.

The S*n believes that Jürgen Klopp is interested in Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson, who will almost definitely be moving now that Boro has been relegated. Should this rumour prove true, the Reds would be going up against Tottenham, West Brom, and Leicester City in the race to sign the centre-back.

Price may become an issue for Liverpool, however, as Boro reportedly want at least £20 million for Gibson. It’s almost understandable given the huge impact he had on the team over the last season, even if he couldn’t single-handedly stop their relegation. He is on contract with Boro through 2021.

Gibson is a talented defender, and has recently received his first international call up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad. There’s not much doubt that he would make for an excellent addition to Liverpool’s backline, but as of yet, this particular rumour remains unsubstantiated. It’ll be worth keeping an ear out for non-S*n reports on Gibson, but until then this is probably best relegated to the “eh, we’ll see” pile.