Manchester City look to £20m-rated Championship defender

Manchester City will turn their attentions to Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson if they fail to land West Brom ace Jonny Evans, reports The Daily Mirror.

Pep Guardiola’s side have already had an £18m bid for Evans rejected and are expected to return with an improved offer worth £25m.

West Brom head coach Tony Pulis has already confirmed the club will not be able to afford to turn down a huge offer for their captain, but City are drawing up contingency plans in case they fail to sign the former Manchester United defender.

Guardiola is not convinced by Jason Denayer or Eliaquim Mangala and is desperate to sign a new central defender before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month.

In order to improve their homegrown quote, City are hopeful of securing a British defender and will turn to Boro ace Gibson if a deal for Evans proves too complex.

The 24-year-old was expected to leave Middlesbrough after they were relegated back down to the Championship last season but potential suitors have been put off by the club’s £30m valuation.

However, City are hopeful that a deal could be done for as little as £20m, which would free up money for a blockbuster move for Arsenal wantaway Alexis Sanchez.

Gibson, who was on the periphery of the England squad last season, was one of just three outfielders that featured in every minute of Premier League action last season.