Manchester City will rival Chelsea for the signing of Ben Gibson.
According to a report in The Sun, Pep Guardiola wants the Middlesbrough defender as part of his new look defence for next season which could also include Virgil van Dijk.
Gibson has been the star man in the Middlesbrough side despite their slide into the relegation zone.
The 24-year-old has come through the ranks at the Riverside and played a big part in last season’s promotion, taking the step up to the Premier League in his stride.
Guardiola is assessing a number of defensive targets and has been impressed by the way that Gibson has applied himself despite ‘Boro’s struggles.
Chelsea, like City, have also been linked with Gibson who has been profiled as a potential replacement for John Terry.
Middlesbrough are resigned to losing Gibson at the end of the season but are hoping to bank £30m from the sale of their top defender.