Burnley's prospects of offloading Ben Gibson in this transfer window appear to have been boosted as Norwich seem to have taken the lead in the hunt to sign the defender.

The Northern Echo reported that the Canaries are confident of beating his former club Middlesbrough to a deal for the 27-year-old, who has been exiled at Turf Moor since falling out with Sean Dyche over a blocked move to Watford in January.

According to The Northern Echo, Norwich hold two significant advantages over Middlesbrough in the respective clubs' pursuit of Gibson.

Firstly, the Canaries would likely be able to pay a much higher portion of the defender's £45,000-a-week wages if he goes on loan to Carrow Road than 'Boro would if they took him to Teesside, with the northeast club reportedly offering to pay no more than a third of his weekly wage.

Also, Norwich have apparently discussed the options of both a loan and a permanent move for Gibson, and such is their willingness to sign the 27-year-old that they are prepared to meet Burnley's demands in order to get a deal done within the next couple of weeks.

In the 2019/20 season, the Clarets continued to pay the defender £45,000 per week despite him making only one appearance, the Carabao Cup defeat to Sunderland which is now almost a full year ago. After falling out with Turf Moor management, he has been training with his former club Middlesbrough, and not even a defensive injury crisis could persuade Burnley to recall him over the summer.

It is doing neither Gibson nor Burnley any good to have him on the club's books when Dyche clearly has no intention of picking him. Therefore, Norwich's reported desire to strike a deal for him and, at worst, pay a substantial portion of his wages to facilitate a loan move should come as good news for all parties concerned.

The Canaries get the man they want, Burnley will get an expensive yet unproductive asset off their hands and the player will have a fresh start at a club where he may have a chance of obtaining game-time. It's a situation in which everyone appears to be a winner - assuming it comes to fruition.

Burnley fans, will you be happy if Norwich sign Gibson, even on loan, for next season? Comment below with your views!