Liverpool have hit a snag in the pursuit of some of their transfer targets this summer – one being Southampton playing hard ball over holding on to Netherlands international centre-back Virgil van Dijk.
The 26-year-old remains the Reds’ top most defensive priority, but they are keeping an eye on Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson as a plan B as per the Daily Mail.
The England youth international wants to continue playing Premier League football following Boro’s relegation, and the club have slammed a £30million transfer fee on his head.
The Championship returnees are also keen on selling Gibson only to a top six club, and have already rejected West Brom’s bid for the 24-year-old defender.
Liverpool are currently left with Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan as their centre-defence options, and substantially want to add a player to the department this summer.
While he’s noway near van Dijk’s quality, Ben Gibson is nevertheless also a fine option considering that his consistent quality performances in 38 EPL games last term earned him a call up to England’s Three Lions.
