Huge boost for Rangers on Joe Aribo and Glen Kamara
Rangers’ prospects of holding onto Joe Aribo and Glen Kamara have grown significantly in the wake of Aston Villa agreeing a loan move for Philippe Coutinho.
Former manager Steven Gerrard was known to be a big admirer of the pair from their time together and was considering an approach to take them to the Premier League.
But with the Scottish Premiership-winning manager pulling off a major coup in bringing in his former Liverpool teammate from Barcelona, his need for the Ibrox pair has been reduced.
Jordan Campbell was already reporting in The Athletic that Gers were “in a comfortable position when it comes to dealing with any interested suitors” thanks to the transfer income received from the Nathan Patterson deal.
That position has likely been strengthened further since Gerrard appears to have successfully moved his attentions elsewhere.
Not only is his interest in Aribo particular likely to be lesser, but with the Birmingham-based side reportedly [The Guardian] paying 65% of the Brazilian’s considerable wages his financial ability to tempt Rangers for either player will be lower.
Good news for Van Bronckhorst
The development is a big positive for Giovanni van Brockhorst who is keen to make it through the January window with his squad in tact.
Various transfer bids have been rejected, with only the club-record fee received for Patterson sanctioned as he was behind James Tavernier and not a regular in the starting XI.
The Dutch manager certainly would not have wanted to lose either of Aribo or Kamara with the midfield pair making a combined 59 appearances this season, and the Nigerian scoring or assisting 10 goals.
With one significant threat to maintaining the current membership of the squad now apparently lifted, attentions will turn to whether Alfredo Morelos will stay past the end of the window with reports in The Scottish Sun continuing to suggest Newcastle are considering an approach.
In other Rangers news, the club are set to offer contracts to a pair of free transfer targets.