Manchester City round-up: Middlesbrough set Ben Gibson price; midfielder fitness update; Kelechi Iheanacho speaks out over future

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Reports in The Mirror have suggested that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will need to fork out £25 million if he wants to sign Middlesbrough and England centre-back Ben Gibson this summer.

If Middlesbrough fail to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season, the report claims that chairman Steve Gibson will not sell the defender cheaply to one of England’s leading sides.

Gibson, 24, who received his first international call-up last week for the friendly with Germany and World Cup qualifier against Lithuania, is believed to be a target for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool as well.

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Despite Boro’s struggles this season, Gibson has been an integral part of a defence that has only conceded 33 goals in 28 matches; a better record than both Arsenal and Liverpool in the top six.

According to the Manchester Evening News, England midfielder Raheem Sterling will be fit enough to face rivals Arsenal this weekend after picking up a back injury in the qualifier against Lithuania.

Sterling was withdrawn from the match at Wembley on the hour mark through precaution, but it now appears that the 22-year-old should be fully fit for the crunch top of the table encounter.

The Manchester City midfielder fed the ball across the area for Jermain Defoe to slot in England’s opener in the 2-0 victory and will be key for City’s hopes of a win at the Emirates on Sunday.

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Their opponents currently sit seven points below the Citizens in sixth place, four points outside the top four, and a win on Sunday could send Manchester City ten points clear of the Gunners.

Manchester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho has spoken out about his future at the Etihad Stadium, insisting that he will fight for his place despite struggling for game-time in recent months.

The Nigerian has only started five times this season under Pep Guardiola after impressing in his debut campaign last year, but the 20-year-old has pledged his allegiance to the club.

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Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, he said:

“I’m very happy and very grateful to be in this team. I keep working hard every day and when I get my chance I have to prove to everyone I need to be in the squad. It’s a great squad with great players.

“I keep learning and improving and that will help me in the future. I love it here.”

Ihenacho signed a new five-year deal at the Etihad last summer and has vowed to earn his spot in the side, using the recent signing of Gabriel Jesus as healthy competition for places.

The Nigerian scored a late penalty as his country drew 1-1 with Senegal in a friendly during the international break last week, notching his fifth goal in eight appearances.

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