Update! Club Slap £35million Price Tag On Chelsea Target

Middlesbrough Club Slap £35million Price Tag On Chelsea Target

Middlesbrough has reportedly slapped a huge sum of £35million on Ben Gibson to fend off interest from Chelsea.

Antonio Conte is in the market for defensive reinforcements in the January transfer window and the Boro defender is one of the prospects identified by the Blues. But they will need to stump up £35million if the deal is to go through.

It is understood that Aitor Karanka is desperate to keep the 23-year-old who has remained solid in defence for Middlesbrough.

Everton are also reportedly keeping tabs on the defender but a deal in January could prove difficult for the Tofees.

Gibson may yet be tempted with the chance of playing for a high-profile club like Chelsea and reports have it that Chelsea Roman Abramovich has handed Antonio Conte a transfer war chest due to his brilliance for the Blues so far with the 3-4-3 formation.