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Burnley: Ben Gibson has transfer interest from Middlesbrough and Norwich

By Liam Togher

Posted on 10 August 2020, 16:10

Ben Gibson could be offered at least a temporary escape from Burnley, with two Championship clubs reportedly interested in his services.

Journalist Alan Nixon tweeted (via @reluctantnicko) that Middlesbrough and Norwich are keen on signing the defender, although the former only want a loan deal.

Middlesbrough. Want Ben Gibson back from Burnley but only on loan. Norwich also interested. Burnley would go for Worrall at Forest if raise funds. Sheff U also keen on Worrall.

— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) August 9, 2020

According to Lancashire Live, the Canaries’ interest also seems to be for a loan rather than a permanent move, with the Clarets holding out for a transfer fee for the 27-year-old.

Gibson, who became Burnley’s joint-record signing from Middlesbrough in a £15m deal in 2018 (as per BBC), has made just six appearances for the Clarets, with only one of those coming in the Premier League and the most recent being almost a year ago in a Carabao Cup defeat to Sunderland (as per TransferMarkt).

As per The Mirror, he grew frustrated at the lack of game-time under Sean Dyche and his relationship with some of the club’s management became strained, which resulted in him being exiled from the Lancashire outfit and being given permission to train with his former Teesside employers earlier this year.

Even when Burnley had a shortage of senior centre-backs towards the end of the Premier League season, Gibson was not considered for selection, a rather damning indictment of where he stands at Turf Moor.

As per Lancashire Live, the Clarets want to recoup a substantial amount of their £15m outlay for him, although this could be complicated by clubs’ finances suffering as a consequence of the global pandemic. Therefore, any prospective suitors may be looking at a loan move rather than a permanent deal for now.

For both Burnley and Gibson, it would seem mutually beneficial that they part ways at the earliest opportunity, and at least the reported interest from Middlesbrough and Norwich is offering him a temporary escape from Turf Moor.

Whichever club lands the 27-year-old could be determined by who can be first to table an acceptable offer, as well as which one seems to present a greater chance of ultimately taking him off Burnley’s hands permanently further down the line.

Burnley fans, do you want Gibson gone from the club as soon as possible? Join in the discussion by commenting below!