Barry Ferguson is ‘amazed’ at Joe Aribo’s recent performances and believes Steven Gerrard could make an attempt to reunite with the Rangers star at Premier League giants Aston Villa, speaking to the Daily Record.
There has never been any doubts about Aribo’s ability.
But this season, the former Charlton Athletic schemer has blossomed into a genuine match-winning, game-changing force. Where he used to merely decorate games with fancy flicks and those trademark slaloming runs, he is now starting to dominate them.
And the appointment of Giovanni van Bronckhorst as Steven Gerrard’s successor threatens to take Aribo’s game to a whole-new level.
Thriving in the freedom afforded to him by Rangers’ new manager, the Nigeria international has scored three goals in his last seven games. That, by the way, is more than Aribo managed in his final 29 appearances under Gerrard.
Could Aston Villa make a bid for Joe Aribo?
“Don’t go Joe,” pleads former Ibrox skipper Ferguson.
“That’s the one thing every Rangers fan will want for Christmas and I’m pretty sure it will be at the top of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s letter to Santa too.
“Aribo might just be priceless when it comes to Van Bronckhorst’s hopes of leading the club to a second successive title.
“I’ve been amazed at the progress he has made and particularly over the past six months or so. Aribo has taken his game to a whole new level and become an even better player than most of us ever thought he could be.”
The Daily Mail believe that a trio of Premier League clubs, Watford, Brentford and Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace, are weighing up potential January bids for arguably the most in-form attacker on Scottish soil.
What’s more, Aribo has reportedly turned down the chance to extend a contract that has a year-and-a-half left to run.
Ferguson, meanwhile, won’t be surprised if Gerrard makes an attempt to reunite with Aribo at Aston Villa.
Will Rangers be forced to sell Joe Aribo?
“It’s so vital he hangs around for at least the rest of the current campaign because it seems inevitable now that someone is going to come knocking when the window opens,” Ferguson adds.
“Be it Steven Gerrard or some other manager from England’s top flight.
“If an offer comes in that matches the club’s valuation then they’ll do business.
“But Aribo should be the exception to the rule. I’d put a price tag of around £15million on him at this moment, which is £5m more than I would have said just a few weeks ago.”
“Even if Gerrard or whoever else comes in with a bid in that ball park, Rangers would be better off telling them to stick it where the sun don’t shine.”
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