According to talkSPORT, Joe Aribo has rejected a new contract at Rangers amid interest from Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
What’s the story?
Well, the 25-year-old has many admirers in the Premier League, and his head has seemingly been turned.
TalkSPORT believe the Nigerian international – who Rangers want £10m for if he does leave Ibrox – has decided not to commit himself to the Bears, with his current deal expiring in less than 12 months.
Therefore, if Giovanni van Bronckhorst cannot change Aribo’s mind soon, Rangers will need to sell their No.17 this summer, or else they are likely to lose him for nothing in 2023.
Football Scotland believe the Londoner has a release clause in his contract at Ibrox, with Premier League clubs expected to make their moves in the coming weeks.
Whatever happens, Rangers are set to make a huge profit on the £300,000 they handed Charlton for Aribo’s services back in 2019.
Interest in Aribo comes after he enjoyed an excellent 2021/22 campaign, scoring nine goals in 57 appearances while also providing ten assists.
Impressively, he even scored against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League final while acting as a makeshift centre-forward.
Crystal Palace & Nottingham Forest could lose out to Aston Villa
In our view, the Villans have the upper hand in this transfer battle, as Steven Gerrard knows Aribo well.
It was the 42-year-old who brought Aribo to Glasgow, and helped him develop into the player he is now.
Crystal Palace also seem set to announce the signings of Cheick Doucoure and Flynn Downes, both of whom are midfielders, so the vast competition for places in south London could put Aribo off.
Whatever happens, it seems Rangers are set to lose one of their best players from last season, which will come as a real blow to Van Bronckhorst as he aims to wrestle the Scottish Premiership back from Celtic.
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