Chelsea transfer news: Antonio Conte will send scout to watch Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson against Arsenal this weekend

CHELSEA will watch Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson against Arsenal tomorrow as Antonio Conte looks to bolster his defence in January. 

Arsenal have been in free flowing form scoring goals for fun in recent games and with the attacking trio of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott Gibson will be tested to the max.

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Chelsea feel that it will be a a good marking tool to see how the 23 year old can handle the movement and space that Arsenal create, especially after their 3-0 thumping they received when visiting the Emirates themselves last month.

Gibson's performances for Middlesbrough have impressed many and it is thought he is under serious consideration for a England call up by former Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate.

Conte has not hidden his intent for wanting to sign a defender with Juventus' Leonardo Bonnucci the main man on his shopping list.

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It is believed however that Chelsea are still interested in Gibson even though they are chasing Bonnucci as signing a homegrown defender is very much on the agenda.

It was reported last month that Burnley's Michael Keane was on the Stamford Bridge radar and after being called up to the England squad the interest grew further.

Gibson has bags of potential and is playing well consistently for his club and with many years ahead of him Chelsea will be looking at an English defender that they could possibly mould in to John Terry's replacement.

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Chelsea have a huge match at the weekend when they welcome back Jose Mourinho as they take on Manchester United on Sunday.

Conte will be desperate for his Chelsea side to show they have what it takes to beat a big rival having lost already to Liverpool and Arsenal.

Mourinho though will be desperate to prove his recent critics wrong and a victory over his old side would be sweet revenge for the United manager.

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