By 
Ben Gibson, who Aston Villa have been reportedly interested in since January, has been told that he can leave Burnley according to reports.
Words by Regan Foy | @FindFoy
______
According to news outlet The Sheffield Star, long-time Aston Villa target Ben Gibson has been told that he can leave Burnley football club on either a permanent or loan deal this summer.
It is unknown whether Aston Villa’s interest comes as a potential back-up for their pursuit of Tyrone Mings, or if Gibson is a separate target altogether.
26-year-old Gibson joined Burnley for a joint-record fee of £15,000,000 last summer and managed just five appearances for the clarets as he had to have surgery on a hernia issue.
He signed for the club on a four-year-deal, meaning that Burnley will be fairly savvy in recuperating the money that they had paid for him, or at least the vast majority of it.
A number of other clubs are said to be interested in the former Middlesbrough defender, with Sheffield United, Norwich City, Sheffield Wednesday and Turkish side Besiktas all touted as potential destinations.
Whilst only managing 63 minutes of football last season, the defender’s previous seasons at Middlesbrough made him one of the most revered centre-backs in the Sky Bet Championship, appearing 85 times in two seasons and amassing an impressive average pass success ratio of 82.35% – which is likely to be why he is of interest to Dean Smith.
If Gibson can stay fit, he may be a savvy acquisition for Villa. With Burnley wanting to move the centre-back on, the club may be able to whittle down the fee, too.
