Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo is now attracting interest from Crystal Palace as the Eagles plot replacements for loanee Conor Gallagher.
That’s according to The Scottish Sun, who claim that Aribo is now at the top of Palace’s transfer wish list for next season.
Palace’s sporting director Dougie Freedman – a former Scotland striker – is understood to have visited Parkhead to watch Aribo play for Rangers against Celtic.
Rangers allegedly want around £10million for Aribo, a huge profit on the minimal compensation Rangers paid in 2019.
Palace need to be eyeing midfielders to replace loanee Gallagher, who heads back to parent club Chelsea at the end of the season.
Aribo, 25, hails from Camberwell in South London, a mere six miles away from Palace’s Selhurst Park home.
Heading back to the English capital may be appealing to Aribo, and Palace are seemingly ready to spend on the Nigerian midfielder.
Aribo has arguably been Rangers’ best player this season, turning in superb performances from midfield under both Steven Gerrard and Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Aribo has racked up six goals and six assists in all competitions this term and recently returned from the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria.
Possessing outstanding technique and close control, Aribo has been Rangers’ driving force and losing him would be a huge blow.
The problem for Rangers is that Aribo is now inside the final 18 months of his contract and they may be under pressure to sell this summer.
Branded ‘priceless’ by Barry Ferguson in December, Aribo is one of few Rangers players who can say they have excelled this season.
Premier League clubs have clearly noticed that though, and Palace may be poised to make a cash bid for Aribo come the end of the season.
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