Rangers star Joe Aribo number one priority for Crystal Palace
Rangers may have a battle on their hands to keep hold of star midfielder Joe Aribo as Crystal Palace make him their number one summer priority, according to The Scottish Sun.
The 25-year-old has been a crucial figure in Giovanni van Bronchorst’s side this season but the club will listen to offers of around £10million this summer.
The Scottish Sun suggests that Palace have the funds and the will to make a deal happen as Patrick Vieira looks for a replacement for Conor Gallagher, who will return to his parent club Chelsea for next season.
The Eagles’ sporting director, former Scotland striker Dougie Freedman, watched Aribo in the Gers’ 3-0 Old Firm derby defeat against Celtic.
While the attraction of the Premier League is likely to persuade Aribo to London, Rangers could secure Champions League football which may be their only chance of holding on to the Nigerian.
Time to move on
No Rangers fan wants Aribo to leave the club but sometimes you have to accept that there are better options elsewhere.
This is one of those moments sadly and it would be a big surprise to see Aribo still at Ibrox next season if Palace make an acceptable offer to the club.
The 25-year-old has been a revelation for Rangers since he joined in 2019 from Charlton Athletic and he has won games for the club in his commanding midfield role.
He certainly would leave a big hole in the Gers’ team if he were to leave the club but players have left Ibrox before and the club have managed, it isn’t the end of the world.
Alex Lowry has already shown his ability in the engine room and with another year under his belt, he could become a real star in the Scottish Premiership.
It’s a part of being a football club, in reality, players will go and Aribo will be sent off with a rousing reception when he does.
In other Rangers news, Sunday’s game against Hearts could be even more crucial than the Old Firm for the Light Blues’ season.