Newcastle United are keeping close tabs on Middlesborough central defender Ben Gibson, according to the Telegraph.
The newspaper claims that the 24-year-old defender is keen to leave the Championship club and the Magpies are currently monitoring his situation.
However, it is understood that Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez would prefer to sign an experienced central defender to play alongside club captain Jamal Leschelles next season.
The report claims that new Middlesborough boss Garry Monk is trying to persuade the Englishman to stay but Gibson believes that he needs to be playing Premier League football next season in order to boost his chances of being selected for the England national squad for next year’s World Cup in Russia.
The Telegraph reports that Newcastle are set to battle it out with a number of clubs for the defender’s signature as Chelsea and Stoke City are both interested in Gibson.
Middlesborough would reportedly find it difficult to turn down a bid around £20million for the centre-back but no club has met the asking price.
The English defender played every single Premier League match last season and helped the side achieve 11 clean sheets.
Gibson was also named in the England national squad for the first time in his career back in March, although he has only made the bench so far.
The central defender’s current contract at the Riverside Stadium expires in 2021.