Dean Jones: Joe Aribo could join Aston Villa later in the transfer window
Aston Villa could make a move for Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo later in the transfer window, according to journalist Dean Jones.
Aribo got nine goals and nine assists in 49 appearances for the Glasgow club in the 2021/22 season, including getting on the scoresheet in the Europa League final against Frankfurt in May.
The Nigerian international is now into the final year of his contract at Ibrox and with former manager Steven Gerrard now in the Midlands, journalist Jones told GiveMeSport that he expects that they could move later in the window to make a deal happen.
“I think Aribo will become an option a bit later in the window from what I’m told,” he said.
“I think he had ideas of going somewhere else that have fallen through, and now they’re going to look at further options, and I know that Villa is just one of those that need to be explored. So that might happen but further down the line.”
Creativity
Aribo is a super talented footballer and a player who has got that rare blend of brilliant technique, great work ethic and is still able to get stuck in too.
The 25-year-old made a place for himself on the right hand side of Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s attack, which is a position that Gerrard has had problems with since arriving at Villa Park.
Leon Bailey, Bertrand Traore and Emiliano Buendia have all struggled to hold the position down as their own, and Aribo could come in and will know exactly what Gerrard wants from his teams having worked together at Rangers.
With reports of a £10m release clause, it’s not a deal that needs to be negotiated too much but there is said to be competition from the likes of Crystal Palace in his signature.
If Gerrard decides to make the move, the club have shown already how quickly they can get deals done. So this deal is certainly one to keep an eye on throughout the window, as they could be forced into action earlier than they imagined due to other clubs.
In other Aston Villa news, Jacob Ramsey could be set for and England World Cup wildcard spot