Middlesbrough FC transfer rumours: Ben Gibson discusses future amid Nottingham Forest and Norwich City reports plus ex-Tottenham man linked

Former Middlesbrough captain Ben Gibson says he just wants to play football again after a frustrating two years at Burnley.
Ben Gibson has made just one Premier League appearance since signing for Burnley.Ben Gibson has made just one Premier League appearance since signing for Burnley.
Ben Gibson has made just one Premier League appearance since signing for Burnley.

The 27-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Clarets but looks destined to leave Turf Moor after falling out with the club.

Boro are interested in re-signing Gibson on loan but would need Burnley to pay a significant chunk of his wages to complete a deal.

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Championship rivals Norwich and Nottingham Forest have also been linked with the central defender in recent weeks, yet his future remains unclear.

Speaking to BBC Tees Sport, Gibson said: “It’s probably no secret that I want to get out and play football and have been itching to do so since I signed for Burnley.

“I’ll have to see what the next few weeks bring. Obviously I want to play football, that’s clear as day, but for now I just sit tight and see what happens.”

Ex-Tottenham defender linked

Following the departure of George Friend over the weekend, Boro do appear worryingly short at the back ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.

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It’s therefore no surprise to see the Teessiders linked with a central defender, with former Tottenham man Christian Maghoma a reported target.

According to Lancashire Live, Boro and QPR are interested in pursuing Maghoma who was previously linked with Blackburn.

Both Boro and Rangers tracking centre-back Charlie Goode before his move to Brentford earlier this week.

It’s now been claimed that both clubs have registered an interest in Maghoma, who is a free agent after leaving Polish club Arka Gydnia in May.

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Maghoma signed for Gydnia in 2018 after coming through the ranks at Spurs.

Daniel Ayala training with non-league club

Finally, former Boro defender Dani Ayala is training with non-league club Nantwich Town to stay fit.

The 29-year-old was offered a new deal at the Riverside before the season was suspended but wasn’t able to agree new terms.

Speaking to Nantwich’s website, Ayala said: “I am massively grateful for them because without them I wouldn’t have a pitch to try and get back to proper fitness.

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“I’m really thankful for the opportunity to train here on the pitch and to get fit.”

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