According to the latest reports from the Northern Echo, Leeds United are linked with a move for Burnley’s centre back Ben Gibson. Along with the Whites, Newcastle United, Norwich City, Aston Villa and Sheffield United are also said to be in the race for him.
The Yorkshire side should look to add an experienced centre half after they sold Pontus Jansson recently. The club brought in Ben White from Brighton earlier, but the Englishman is yet to be tested at a higher level.
Gibson, on the other hand, has endured a tough one year at Turf Moor as he made just five appearances in all competitions after the Clarets signed him for a whopping £15m from Middlesbrough in 2018. It is reported that Burnley will look to recoup most of that fee and they are willing to ship him away after just one season.
What should Bielsa do?
The Whites should look to bring in an experienced centre back to replace Jansson. The club only has two senior centre backs in the form of Gaetano Berardi and Liam Cooper. Knowing United’s injury track record from last season, the club will be playing with fire if they don’t bring in a proven defender this summer. Kalvin Phillips might be able to do a job at the back, but he won’t be that effective in the build-up play if he starts playing as a centre back.
What will Gibson bring to the table?
The former Middlesbrough defender is an experienced campaigner at the Championship level who has got a little bit of experience of the Premier League as well. The Englishman is known for his committed defending, and he reads the dangers well before they can develop.
Gibson is physically strong and dominant in the air as well, and while playing in the Championship, he was often considered as one of the best in the division. He might have lost his way in the past year with Burnley, but he is still 26 and can offer a lot, especially in the Championship.
Can Leeds United get him?
We think that the player might be a bit reluctant to take a drop back to the Championship. With four Premier League clubs also interested, it seems to us that his first preference could be a Premier Lague move. Even if the defender is open to a move to the West Yorkhire club, the Whites are likely to find it hard to pay close to £15m for him this summer.
