Big guns closing in on Gibbo

® BEN GIBSON is set to spark a £25m transfer scramble this summer with the Premier League’s big guns all chasing the Middlesbrough defender.

Centre-half Gibson (below) has emerged as one of the top flight’s hottest properties with Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham all keen on the 24-year-old.

Boro know they have no chance of hanging on to Gibson if they are relegated. And they also accept they face a major fight to keep him even if they beat the drop.

But Boro won’t contemplate selling their prize asset for less than £25m – and if a bidding war kicks off, Gibson could even command a fee in excess of £30m if his club do decide to cash in.

The defender, nephew of chairman Steve Gibson, is less

than 12 months into a five-year contract.

He is settled and is in no rush to leave his hometown club where he is a popular and influential figure.

He was drafted into the England squad last week after Chris Smalling dropped out due to injury and was an unused sub in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Lithuania.

Even though he knows staying won’t harm his international prospects, providing the club stay up, the lure of Champions League football and challenging for major honours at the top of the table is certain to appeal.

Meanwhile, former Boro defender Jonathan Woodgate, 37, has rejoined the club as first-team coach to work alongside boss Steve Agnew.

The former England star, who also played for Leeds, Newcastle, Real Madrid and Tottenham, retired in May last year.

“Jonathan is someone who we know very well and who in turn knows this club inside out,” said Agnew.

“He brings a wealth of experience from the highest level of the game.”