Watford want Friend after growing frustrated in chase for Arsenal defender

 

Watford have turned their attentions to signing Middlesbrough left-back George Friend after refusing to meet Arsenal’s £15m valuation for Kieran Gibbs, reports London Evening Standard.

 

The Hornets were believed to be at the front of the queue to sign Gibbs from Arsenal, who is free to leave the summer following the arrival of Saed Kolasinac from Schalke.

 

Arsenal may be forced to lower their valuation if they can convince Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil to sign new deals as they would then need to trim their wage bill.

 

However, Watford are not prepared to pay £15m for someone that struggles to get into the Arsenal team and have now turned their attention to Friend.

 

Watford want Friend after growing frustrated in chase for Arsenal defender

 

Middlesbrough, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, are open to selling Friend and would be willing to do business for the 29-year-old for £8m.

 

Knee injuries limited Friend to 20 starts in the Premier League last season, but only Calum Chambers (7.05) and Adama Traore (7.03) gained higher WhoScored ratings of all Boro players than the England left-back (6.99).

 

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