According to reports in the Northern Echo, Everton are ready to include midfielder Mo Besic in a deal to sign Middlesbrough centre-back Ben Gibson.

What's the word, then?

Well, the Northern Echo says that the Toffees are keen to bring the home-grown talent to Goodison Park this summer, but that the Championship club aren't willing to let the defender go on the cheap – especially with the Merseyside outfit’s Premier League rivals, Southampton, also wanting the 25-year-old.

The Northern Echo says that director of football Marcel Brands is ready to give them Besic, who spent the second-half of the 2017/18 campaign on loan at the Riverside Stadium, as part of a deal to sign Gibson.

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How did Gibson do last season?

Following an impressive debut campaign in the Premier League in 16/17, the 25-year-old decided to remain with Boro last summer to help them win promotion back to the top flight, but the nephew of owner Steve Gibson was unable to do that as the Teesside outfit were beaten by Aston Villa in the play-off semi-finals.

The Boro captain played every single minute of their league season, scoring one goal and providing a further three assists.

According to WhoScored.com, he made 280 clearances, 33 tackles and 47 interceptions to prove his defensive abilities, alongside his leadership qualities.

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Would it be a good deal?

If Everton can reduce the price for Gibson by including Besic in the deal, then there is no doubt that it would be the smartest transfer decision Brands, who has been urged to sign a £22.5m 2018 Worldd Cup attacker by Toffees fans, has made since he was appointed at Goodison Park.

The Toffees are in desperate need of strengthening at the heart of their defence – especially after Ramiro Funes Mori joined Villarreal on Thursday – and the English centre-back would be a brilliant addition for them alongside Michael Keane.