Everton are so keen to land Middlesbrough centre-back Ben Gibson that they are willing to offload Mo Besic in an attempt to tie up a deal for the defender, according to the Northern Echo.
Besic is in the shadows at Goodison Park and the Toffees would only want to consider letting him leave on a permanent basis for around £12million.
With club owner Farhad Moshiri unwilling to spend the vast sums of money he has in previous transfer windows, states The Guardian, it looks as though the Blues will have to sell before any signings can happen.
Defensive powerhouse Gibson has been one of Marco Silva’s top targets since arriving on Merseyside as the club looks to address their defensive frailties.
It was thought that Ramiro Funes Mori would also be used as a makeshift in the deal but he has now moved to Villareeal.
OPINION:
Defensive improvements are needed Goodison Park and with so many midfielders available to them it’s questionable as to whether Besic would ever get a look in. Using the Bosnia-Herzegovina midfielder as part of the deal would make sense particularly as Boro manager Tony Pulis is a fan of the 25-year-old and could help to speed up a deal and make the breakthrough that is needed. 6ft (source: Transfermarkt) Gibson is exactly what Everton need defensively and with Mason Holgate also sure to make further strides in the first team next season along with Michael Keane also in position, the Blues will be much stronger at the back. There has been a lot of speculation that Ashley Williams will also move from Goodison Park this summer and if he does that will certainly go some of the way to resuscitating life back into a position within the side that is ageing, slow, and inept.