Middlesbrough reject two 'derisory' West Brom bids for Ben Gibson

Gibson is the subject of mounting interest from a number of different quarters, despite Boro’s continued insistence that they do not want to lose their leading centre-half despite their relegation to the Championship.

Tottenham and Leicester have both been linked with a possible move for the 24-year-old, but it is West Brom who have made two separate approaches to Boro chairman Steve Gibson.

However, a source close to the discussions claims both of the Baggies’ offers were way below what Gibson and chief executive Neil Bausor would even consider a starting point for possible discussions.

“There have been two bids, but they were regarded as derisory,” said the source. “West Brom should know the going rate for a player like Ben Gibson, but what they came up with was so far below what might be deemed acceptable that there wasn’t even a conversation once they were lodged.”

It is understood the bids were below the £20m mark, and contained a series of clauses that meant Boro were not guaranteed to receive the full amount that was being offered. Even if they did, it might well have taken the full duration of Gibson’s proposed contract for the clauses to be met.

As a result, both bids were dismissed out of hand, with the Boro hierarchy frustrated at West Brom’s attempts to pay below what they regard as the market rate for a player who was called into Gareth Southgate’s senior England squad at the end of last season.

Michael Keane is at a similar stage of his development to Gibson, and recently joined Everton for a sum in excess of £30m.

Middlesbrough have no financial need to sell Gibson this summer, so if anyone is to weaken their resolve to hold on to the Teessider, whose current contract still has four more years to run, they are almost certainly going to have to match Keane’s price tag.

Even then, it is far from certain that Boro would sell, with Garry Monk determined to field as strong a side as possible in an attempt to restore his side to the top-flight at the first time of asking. Gibson has been involved in Boro’s pre-season preparations, breaking his nose in an accidental collision during Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Rochdale, and has shown no desire to attempt to force through a move away from his hometown club.

Boro are much more likely to sell Gaston Ramirez before the transfer window closes at the end of next month, and the Uruguayan’s agent, Pablo Bentancur, has suggested his client is keen to talk to Spanish side Real Betis.

Having been frozen out of the first-team picture under Steve Agnew at the end of last season, Ramirez has returned to the senior fold under Monk.

However, there is still a good chance he will depart in the next few weeks, with Betis among a clutch of Spanish clubs to have been monitoring his situation.

“I am convinced Gaston has to leave Middlesbrough,” said Bentancur. “Real Betis will try and sign him.”

On the incoming front, Boro remain hopeful of beating off competition from Aston Villa, Fulham and Derby County to sign Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo on a season-long loan.

Newcastle United have dropped out of the running after Jurgen Klopp ruled out loaning Ojo to a Premier League team, and Boro are keen to sign the 20-year-old if a suitable financial package can be agreed.