According to The Sun, Manchester City have fallen behind in the race to sign Joe Aribo this summer. The Charlton Athletic midfielder has attracted a host of interest across England due to his impressive performances in the English League One this season.
The report claims that Aston Villa have taken the lead in the pursuit of Aribo, with Man City, Celtic and Rangers likely to miss out. But, is he worth the outlay for the Premier League champions?
Aribo’s excellent campaign at Charlton
After enjoying a breakout season during the 2017/18 campaign, Aribo has become a mainstay in the Charlton Athletic midfield this term. The 22-year-old made 36 league appearances, helping his club finish third in the league. And he is expected to play a vital role when his team faces Sunderland in the League One playoff final tomorrow afternoon.
Indeed, Aribo has impressed the onlookers with his tenacity and willingness to win back possession for his team. Much like N’Golo Kante, the 22-year-old always looks hurry the opposition ball-carrier, giving them very little time on the ball.
Like a genuine defensive midfielder, Aribo often tends to drop deep and help his team in the build-up play. He can also switch the ball and deliver accurate diagonal balls, which is an asset for any midfielder in the world. He has notably registered five assists this season.
Additionally, the youngster has also netted as many as nine goals – making him one of the most productive players in the team this campaign.
Should Manchester City double their efforts to sign Aribo?
Despite Aribo’s remarkable performances in the League One this season, it will undoubtedly prove to be a difficult task for him to replicate his form in the Premier League.
The midfield may find it challenging to cope with the pressure of having so little time on the ball. And although his tenacity and aggression could be useful in the physically demanding nature of the English top flight, it won’t likely benefit Manchester City.
The Sky Blues already have a stacked youth department and missing out on this highly talented midfielder won’t be a massive blow. But, they surely need to keep an eye on Aribo’s progress if he makes the jump from League One to the Championship or even the Premier League next campaign, given the immense potential he has shown during his time at Charlton.
