According to the latest reports from the Daily Mail as cited by the Scottish Sun, Rangers are leading the race to sign Joe Aribo, and Gerrard looks set to lure him away from other rivals. Rangers’ arch-rivals Celtic were also said to be interested in him, but it seems like the blue half of Glasgow is going to win the race if latest reports are to go by.
This should come as a massive coup for Gerrard as we felt that Rangers were underdogs in this race for the midfielder. Premier League clubs like Southampton and Arsenal were also linked with this Charlton midfielder at one point. What made Rangers’ task even tougher was that the Addicks wanted him to join an English club.
Charlton’s head of recruitment Steve Gallen had recently said, ”We hope he doesn’t go (to Celtic or Rangers). But if Joe does decide to go, then we’d really like him to go English, for a couple of reasons. One, because that is the best place for him to go to – the best place to develop his career. And two, because if he did go to a club in England, then our club would get recompensed.”
The midfielder is set to be out of contract and is available on a free transfer. Aribo has come up from Charlton’s academy, and clubs in England will have to pay a compensation fee to sign the midfielder. However, clubs from Scotland don’t need to fulfil those formalities.
Given all this, despite Charlton wanting Aribo to stay and even if he moves, hoping he would stay on in England, Rangers are reportedly set to win the race for him. The Gers have plenty of options in the middle of the park, but Steven Davis isn’t getting any younger. Given the talent which Aribo possesses, he will be a valuable addition to the squad.
What makes Aribo special?
Aribo has been likened to former Arsenal star Patrick Vieira due to his physical built and playing style. The 22-year-old played a significant role in midfield to get Charlton back to the English second tier by winning the League One playoff against Sunderland.
Aribo contributed with ten goals and five assists in all competitions from midfield. The Englishman can carry the ball and pick out his team-mates with neat passes. He is tough to dispossess as he uses his body and strength exceedingly well to protect the ball.
The partnership of Glen Kamara and Joe Aribo can cause havoc to any opposition. This should be a massive win for Rangers in the transfer market if they really manage to pull it off.
