Middlesbrough FC news and transfer rumours: Ben Gibson linked with shock move as ex-Boro and Chelsea man hits out

Former Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson has been linked with a shock move to the MLS.
Ben Gibson signed for Burnley in the summer of 2018.Ben Gibson signed for Burnley in the summer of 2018.
Ben Gibson signed for Burnley in the summer of 2018.

The 27-year-old remains contracted to Premier League club Burnley but started training with Boro after a fallout with Clarets boss Sean Dyche in February.

Boro were keen to re-sign the homegrown centre-back on loan in January but weren’t able to strike a deal with Burnley.

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Several other Championship clubs were also interested in Gibson, while Watford made multiple offers for the defender during the transfer window.

Yet it’s been reported that MLS side LA Galaxy are leading the chase to sign Gibson, according to TEAMtalk.

Gibson still has two years left on his contract at Burnley after signing a four-year deal at Turf Moor in 2018.

Mikel responds to Trabzonspor exit

It emerged earlier this week that former Boro and Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel had left Turkish club Trabzonspor following a dispute over the coronavirus.

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While the majority of leagues in Europe had postponed their seasons, the Turkish Super Lig continued to play games behind closed doors.

Mikel, who joined Trabzonspor after leaving Boro in 2019, then hit out at the league and his club in an Instagram post over the weekend.

Days later it emerged the Nigerian international had left Trabzonspor by mutual consent, and the midfielder has since opened up on the situation.

"They were really upset about the whole thing,” Mikel told the Athletic when discussing his exit.

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“I was told to meet with the president in his office one-on-one. He asked me to take it down (the post). I told him I wasn’t going to do that. It’s my opinion. This is how I feel. We live in a free world. I have freedom of speech. I can express my opinion.

“I wanted to win the league too but at this point in time, we have to think about what is more important: to save peoples’ lives.

“I want to help in any way that I can to defeat this virus. For us to be out there playing; I don’t think we are helping the global situation. I don’t feel it is right for us to play football.”