MIDDLESBROUGH boss Jonathan Woodgate has opened the door to Ben Gibson’s return – but told Burnley they must cough up £30million for Dael Fry.
As SunSport exclusively revealed, the Clarets are plotting a £10m swoop for the 22-year-old centre-half.
Middlesbrough’s Dael Fry (pictured to the right) is a defensive target for Premier League side Burnley. Boro want £30m for himCredit: EPA
And speculation has mounted that ex-Boro boy Gibson, 27, could be heading back to The Riverside.
Woodgate, who has had Fry as his only senior centre-half due to crippling injuries in the last month, admits he is open to adding Gibson to his back line.
However Fry is “not for sale” unless they receive an offer too good to refuse.
But after he was forced off in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham, the need for reinforcements at Boro intensified.
Woodgate said: “It doesn’t half increase the need. I’m sure we will do that, I’m very confident on that. Could it be Ben Gibson? Who knows? It could be anyone.
“Have I spoken to Ben about signing? Not at the minute. Ben Gibson’s a good player, but there’s an awful lot of good players in the league.
“Would he be open to coming back? I’m not sure on that one. But he’s a Boro lad isn’t he?”
When quizzed on Burnley’s interest in Fry, he left Sean Dyche in no doubt about how big of a carrot he needs to dangle.
Woodgate added: “Dael is not for sale. He’s not for sale unless someone pays £30m.
“There haven’t been bids that I know of for anyone, but I’m sure there will be because there are some really good players in there. If bids come in, let’s see.
“We’ve got some really good players, and if I was other managers, I’d be looking at a few of them because a few of them have stepped up this year and been absolutely fantastic.
“There are a lot of good players. I expect one or two players in.
“Whether they’ll both be defenders, I’m not sure about that. But I’d expect one or two with the injuries, although hopefully they’re not too serious.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
