Middlesbrough have turned down an offer in the region of £21m for defender Ben Gibson, according to the Daily Mail.

The 24-year-old defender has become one of the best players in the Boro squad following his impressive campaign in the Premier League last season, and interest in him is high following Boro's relegation back to the Championship.

The report claims that West Brom are the club who have made the massive bid, with an £18m bid with a further £3m in add-ons included in any potential deal.

However, Middlesbrough owner Steve Gibson and manager Garry Monk are keen to keep hold of their star man, and have so far knocked back the bid.

There is every chance though that the Baggies will come again though for the big defender, with their manager Tony Pulis keen to add some defensive and attacking reinforcements to his squad before the big kickoff in August.

Boro themselves have been active in the transfer market, splashing big bucks on the likes of Britt Assbombalonga and Martin Braithwaite. The chance to recoup over £20m for Gibson could well be tempting though for the Championship club in the long run, and there is bound to be more to this saga before the end of the window.

Boro fans, what do you think to this? Let us know your thoughts!