Middlesbrough must resist any temptation following Norwich City news: View | OneFootball

It is a big summer for Middlesbrough as they rebuild the squad ahead of a potential promotion push in the Championship next season.

After losing to Coventry City in the play-off semi-finals last season, Boro made a slow start to the campaign, failing to win any of their first seven league games.

Michael Carrick's side improved significantly after that, but inconsistency remained a problem throughout the season, and despite a strong end to the campaign, they missed out on the top six as they finished eighth in the table.

A run of just one defeat in their final 12 games has given Boro supporters plenty of optimism ahead of next season, and with the right additions in the transfer market this summer, Carrick's men could certainly be among the promotion contenders.

Boro already have a strong squad, and the return to fitness of the likes of Hayden Hackney, Riley McGree and Marcus Forss will boost them further ahead of the new season, but after being stretched by injuries this term, more depth is needed if they are to maintain a promotion challenge.

Owner Steve Gibson is likely to provide Carrick with backing this summer, but the club have reduced their spending in recent years, and they could look to make some shrewd free agent signings.

One player who has become available is former Boro defender Ben Gibson, and his release by Norwich City could lead to calls from some supporters to bring him back to the Riverside Stadium, but the club must resist any thoughts of a reunion.

Middlesbrough should not consider Ben Gibson return this summer

Gibson joined Boro at the age of 12, and after progressing through their academy, he went on to score four goals and provide five assists in 204 appearances for the club.

The highlight of Gibson's time at Boro came in the 2015-16 season when he helped them to promotion to the Premier League, and his performances earned him a reputation as one of the best defenders in the Championship.

Gibson made the move to Burnley for a fee of £15 million in August 2018, but he endured a horror spell at Turf Moor, making just six appearances for the Clarets, and falling out with then manager Sean Dyche.

After relations between Gibson and Dyche became strained, the defender returned to train at Boro in February 2020, despite still being under contract with Burnley.

Gibson eventually joined Norwich on loan in September 2020 before making his move to Carrow Road permanent the following summer for a fee of £8 million.

The 30-year-old was a fixture of the Canaries defence during his four years at the club, but he came in for criticism for some uncertain performances this season, particularly during the first half of the campaign.

After returning from two months on the sidelines with injury in December, Gibson rediscovered his form, and he played a key role for Norwich as they reached the play-offs, with former head coach David Wagner praising him for his performances.

"In recent weeks, or the last month, he has shown maybe a different style to his game - very aggressive, very front-foot defending, very brave, to not give the opponent a breather," Wagner told the Pink Un.

"Rather than only this ball-playing centre half everyone is speaking about.

"He added something different maybe to his game; this nastiness, this aggression, which you like to have from a centre half especially if you like to be a front-foot defending team, which is what we like to be."

Gibson made 40 appearances in all competitions for the Canaries this season, but it was announced on Monday that he will leave the club at the end of his contract.

Boro attempted to bring Gibson back to the club in January 2020 during Jonathan Woodgate's tenure, and he remains a popular figure among supporters, so there may be some who would like to see him return this summer.

However, Boro are well-stocked at centre-back with Rav van den Berg, Matt Clarke, Dael Fry and Darragh Lenihan on their books, and it is difficult to see the need to re-sign Gibson.

Van den Berg and Clarke formed an excellent partnership during the final few months of the season, and they could remain Carrick's first-choice duo next season, meaning that two experienced defenders in Fry and Lenihan could find themselves on the bench.

The situation could change if van den Berg was to depart this summer, but Carrick says he does not fear interest in his star players, and the Dutchman may decide that remaining at the Riverside Stadium for another year would be beneficial for his development.

Given Boro's strength in depth at centre-back, they should resist any temptation to reunite with Gibson, who is likely to command a big salary, and instead use their wage budget to bolster other areas of the squad.

There is no doubt that Gibson is still a more than capable performer at Championship level, and he will have no shortage of suitors this summer, but Boro should not be among them.