Middlesbrough have told Ben Gibson, Marten De Roon and Adama Traore that they would like them to stay with them next season despite their relegation to The Championship.

Many expected a raft of big-money departures from The Riverside, and whilst a number have gane and others will follow – I understand new boss Garry Monk is keen for the highly-rated trio to remain.

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24-year-old Gibson, who is the nephew of chairman Steve, has come through the youth system at Boro and has now earned himself a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

Chelsea, Tottenham, Everton, Leicester, Southampton and Stoke have all been monitoring Gibson – but Boro have put a £25million price-tag on his head, and new boss Monk has told the club’s hierarchy that he wants to keep the home-grown star.

Gibson is open to the idea of staying at the club – especially if it means he can help them back to the top-flight at the first time of asking.

Unlike Gibson, De Roon – who is Boro’s second most expensive signing of all-time having arrived from Atlanta last summer in a £12million deal – he has a release clause, which is understood to be around £10million.

A number of Italian clubs including Lazio, AC Milan and former club Atalanta have enquired about a loan deal, but Boro are more than happy to keep De Roon – given his wages dropped significantly when the club were relegated.

Premier League clubs have also shown an interest in De Roon, but nobody has made an official move – likewise with 21-year-old Traore. The likes of Chelsea, West Ham and Newcastle are all said to be keen – but Boro are in no hurry for the young Spaniard to depart.

Traore showed glimpses of brilliance in the top-flight and Monk is a fan of playing with direct wingers, so it is little surprise that he would have liking for the former Barcelona youngster.

Bookmakers believe that Boro have a good chance of keeping the trio and Ladbrokes price it as 4/1 for Monk to keep hold of the trio.

William Geldart of Ladbrokes told TheGamblingTimes.com: “The odds suggest Middlesbrough will do well to keep hold of all their stars this summer with at least one of Gibson, De Roon and Traore fancied to swap the Championship for new climes.”

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