Rangers legend Kenny Miller thinks now is the right time for the club to sell Joe Aribo and sees a return to London - and potentially Crystal Palace - as the place best suited for him this summer.
Speculation has been building over Aribo’s future for some time with several teams eyeing up a move for the versatile midfielder who scored Rangers’ only goal in the Europa League final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in May. His contract at Ibrox expires next summer meaning the Gers might lose him for free if he doesn’t sign a new contract, making the next few weeks crucial for both player and club.
Miller, who made 301 appearances for Rangers across three spells, said in his Daily Record column that he thinks his former side will need to think very carefully about what to do with Aribo, with one eye cast on how a failed move away from the club could affect him next season as well as the rest of the Gers dressing room.
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“Joe is now at a good age,” said the 42-year-old. “If you profile him, he has everything a Premier League club would want. With a year left on his contract, teams won’t be stupid with potential bids. Rangers will have a valuation of what he’s worth and it’s about whether they can find that common ground with a buyer. Aribo, Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent are all going into their last year.
“They’re all starting players so you don’t want constant speculation. It can sidetrack the player and become a sideshow for the manager who gets asked about it every week. So I’d like to see Aribo’s situation resolved quickly. Either re-sign him on a new deal or if the board are willing to sell, let’s bring in the most money we can.
“London probably makes sense for Joe because it’s where he grew up. He will have ambitions of playing in the Premier League. And of those three players at Rangers, you have to think at least one will move on. Joe only signed for around £300k. If Rangers can get around £8million for him it’s good business.
“That’s the model every club wants. You sign cheap – the same way Celtic did with Moussa Dembele – and sell big. Clubs need to balance the books and Rangers are no different. Right now, Aribo is still an asset. But if it gets to Christmas time and nothing’s happened, he’ll probably leave for nothing. It’s all about timing. If it’s right for the player and club, maybe now is a good time for him to go.”
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