Former Charlton team-mate Ayo Obileye believes Crystal Palace target Joe Aribo has the potential to star in the Premier League when the time comes to leave Rangers, speaking to All Nigeria Soccer.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst, and everyone else at Ibrox for that matter, may already be counting down the hours until February 1.
Because, with Premier League trio Crystal Palace, Brentford and Watford craning their necks over the Auchenhowie fences, Rangers have a fight on their hands as they look to secure a star player’s future with the Premiership title on the line (The Mail).
Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent may have something to say about this but no one has performed better under Van Bronckhorst so far than Aribo.
The Nigeria international is dominating games rather than just decorating them these days. Those clever flicks and intuitive tricks have been supplemented by a new-found ruthless streak in the final third too.
Half of the six goals he’s scored this season have come since Van Bronckhost replaced Steven Gerrard on the Ibrox touchline a month ago.
Could Joe Aribo leave Rangers for Crystal Palace?
“Joe is a great player,” says Obileye, the former Addicks youngster now plying his trade at Livingston.
“When I was with him at Charlton Athletic, you got to see the potential he has. I’m happy he’s showing it on the big stage.
“The ball is in his court to decide whether he wants to stay at Rangers for a few more years or move to the Premier League.
“I think he could play in the Premier League but that decision is up to him.”
According to All Nigeria Soccer, Aribo rejected the chance to sign a new contract at the Scottish Premiership champions.
His current deal, like that of Morelos, Ryan Kent, Ryan Jack and Filip Helander, is due to expire in 2023.
It remains to be seen whether Gerrard makes an attempt to reunite with Aribo at Aston Villa. Barry Ferguson, the legendary Rangers skipper, thinks he might.
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