Aston Villa transfer possibility to be ‘explored’ by Rangers star
Aston Villa have been linked with a potential transfer for Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo, with the club named as one of several options to “explore”.
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Rangers’ Joe Aribo
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The Nigeria international has thrived at Ibrox since leaving Charlton Athletic in 2019. Aribo immediately established himself as a regular first-term starter under current Villa boss Steven Gerrard and has been a mainstay in the side that has reached the Europa League final in May, where he scored the first goal.
Capable of playing as a central or more advanced midfielder, Aribo scored nine goals and provided 10 assists in all competitions last season. His performances for the Gers have sparked suspected interest from Villa, as well as fellow Premier League sides Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Fulham.
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The 25-year-old has now entered the final 12 months of his contract, suggesting he could leave Rangers this summer, if the midfielder fails to sign new terms. After being presented with an interest in the former Charlton man last month, it has been claimed Villa may still be able to secure a deal for Aribo before the end of the transfer window.
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“I think Aribo will become an option a bit later in the window from what I’ve been told,” transfer journalist Dean Jones told Give Me Sport. “I think he had ideas of going elsewhere which fell through, and now they’re going to look at other options, and I know Villa is just one of those that needs to be explored. So it could happen, but further down the line.
Aribo was asked about his future while on international duty with Nigeria last month and would not be drawn to speculation over his future. However, he praised the Villa boss for the role Gerrard played in helping him succeed in Scotland.
“I’m not focusing on that (transfer speculation). Right now I’m with Nigeria so my focus is just playing with my country and representing my country,” Aribo said.
On Gerrard’s role in his career, he said: “He’s a good coach on and off the pitch. He really helped me sort out my first time away from home so I have nothing to worry about. bad to say about him.”
Would Aribo be a good recruit for Villa? Let us know in the comments section below.
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