Five clubs vying for Joe Aribo’s signature – Rangers sale inevitable
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 21: Rangers player Joe Aribo looks on during the warm up before the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on March 21, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Rangers are resigned to losing Joe Aribo this summer, after a glut of PL clubs formally moved in for the Nigeria international’s signature, with the last year of his deal now underway.
According to reports last night, Nottingham Forest are in pole position, but he is understood to prefer a move home to London, with Palace, West Ham and Fulham all keen.
Aston Villa are also monitoring his situation.
It does seem now inevitable Aribo will leave, especially given his reported disinterest in even coming to the table to discuss a new deal last year.
Transfer fee? Said to be around £10M-£15M for the former Charlton man, a profit of pretty much 100% – Rangers made him and will now benefit from his sale.
Many might point at the example of ‘press nonsense’ from Connor Goldson, where the press had him gone only for him to sign a new deal. The difference there was even Gio confirmed Goldson was as good as leaving, which was very telling.
So the press weren’t wrong, he just changed his mind.
In Aribo’s case he’s said he’s happy at Rangers, which he is and has been, but he isn’t signing a new deal and does want to return to England now, but is open to sides not in London, even if they’re his preference.
Just because a player wants to leave doesn’t mean they’re unhappy – they just want a change. Or a return to England.
We’d be astounded if he’s here come next season.