Rangers have been ruthless so far in the transfer window as they are closing in on their seventh summer signing in the form of Joe Aribo. Jordan Jones, Steven Davis, Sheyi Ojo, Jake Hastie, Greg Stewart and George Edmundson have already committed their future at Ibrox. However, a late twist in the Aribo tale has spiced up the speculations furthermore!
According to Charlton boss Lee Bowyer (as said to talkSport), a couple of Premier League outfits have made enquiries for the young sensation along with the clubs from Germany and France. The gaffer, though desperate to keep h0ld of his prized asset, is destined to lose him this window despite earning a Championship promotion last season clinching a dramatic win over Sunderland in the League One playoff final.
“Joe loves it at Charlton. But if Premier League clubs come in, financially and from the point of view of playing against the world’s top players every week, it’s tough for a kid to turn down. Everyone wants to play at the top. I’ve been in the game so I understand. I’d love to keep him but I think it’s gonna be difficult.”
Rangers, meanwhile, are still leading the race as the player has his heart set on an Ibrox switch and a medical is imminent within the next 48 hours if the widespread reports are believed to be true.
Bowyer pleaded with the player to stay and develop in the Championship for at least one more season (as claimed by the Scottish Sun). However, his efforts seem to have gone in vain after admitting defeat in retaining the midfield prodigy at the Valley.
The Addicks will receive only £250,000 for Aribo if a cross-border move to Rangers takes place in due course. Charlton’s loss, however, would be Rangers’ gain as the youngster is being viewed as an alternative to Lassana Coulibaly. The Malian made a blistering start to his career in Glasgow (on loan from Angers) but fell down the pecking order later on.
Aribo is known for driving with the ball from the middle of the park and operating in advanced areas. He is dynamic, energetic, direct with his runs and has a tremendous goal-scoring instinct having netted ten times in the league during the previous campaign. Although Bowyer has made claims of Premier League interest, the Gers are still leading the race and likely to announce the signing officially unless a drastic change of fortune occurs within the next couple of days.
