Leeds have got to consider £15m Burnley defender star, reportedly available

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Leeds United need a defender this summer after losing Pontus Jansson to Brentford, with Marcelo Bielsa left with just Liam Cooper and youngster Ben White – and a Burnley outcast could be perfect.

TeamTalk claimed last month that Aston Villa are one of five sides interested in signing 26-year-old Ben Gibson, who has struggled at Burnley since joining the Lancashire-based side in the summer of 2018.

After just five appearances for Burnley following his £15million (Daily Mail) move to Turf Moor, Gibson was forced to undergo surgery on a hernia. He last played for the Clarets in January in the FA Cup.

Now, the report claims Villa are joined by fellow newly-promoted sides Norwich City and Sheffield United, as well as Championship duo Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough in being interested in Gibson.

Gibson has enjoyed promotion from the Championship with Middlesbrough, clocking up 148 appearances in the second tier. Likely to be available for much cheaper than the previous £15million fee, Gibson could be perfect.

With Leeds offloading Jansson, they need to bring in a new centre-back. The big Swede was crucial for Leeds and a replacement is needed, rather than throwing trust into youngster White or the unproven Pascal Struijk.

Available to leave Burnley, as per the report, and boasting enormous Championship experience and promotion, Gibson can rejuvenate his career for a bargain price at Elland Road as Jansson’s replacement.