Rangers have been told that a summer departure of Joe Aribo would leave them with a really big hole in their squad to fill should he complete a move to the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest are one of a few teams to be credited with an interest in the 25-year-old this summer, although they face competition from the likes of Southampton and Aston Villa. Aribo scored a total of nine goals and provided a further 10 assists from midfield in all competitions last season. Latest reports suggest that the player is planning on moving away from Scotland this summer after turning down a new deal at Ibrox.
The Nigeria international has just one year remaining on his deal with the Scottish giants, meaning that the player could be available for a cut-price fee. Reports suggest that Rangers are looking for a price of around £10 million.
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Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, former Celtic man Simon Donnelly believes that the midfielder would be a good signing for the team who sign him this summer. “He’s a player that can make things happen, that can go past an opponent and open things up with his ability,” he said.
“There’s not many of those around. Up until the turn of the year, I thought he was Rangers’ best player last season.
“He tailed off a bit, he wasn’t as potent as he had been before (the African Cup of Nations), and from a Celtic perspective I was quite happy that he came back and dropped off a bit.
“But I think he is a threat. Because he can go past someone, he can score a goal, it’s obvious that teams come looking. Has he had his head turned maybe by the English Premier League? Possibly, if he has knocked something back from Rangers.
“He will be a big one to fill, that will be a challenge. He has been a really good player for Rangers and I think they will have their work cut out trying to fill that void.
“Gio (Giovanni van Bronckhorst) will have to look hard to get somebody of that quality to replace him.”
Southampton are currently favourites to win the race for the Rangers man with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano saying that a deal is ‘almost done’. Therefore Forest will have to move quickly should they wish to make a late swoop for the player.
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