Any Crystal Palace move for Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure will not impact interest in Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo.
That’s according to Eagles podcaster Dan Cook, who made the claim whilst speaking on the HLTCO podcast which he hosts.
Crystal Palace are one of several Premier League clubs who’ve been linked to Rangers star Joe Aribo as the player enters the final year of his current deal.
The Nigerian international – who is believed to have a release clause of £10m in his current contract – is expected to leave the club as a result with the sounds suggesting Joe is unlikely to sign a new contract.
This means Rangers must move him on or risk losing him for nothing at the end of the season, something which smacks in the face of the much-discussed player trading model.
Palace are said to be joined by the likes of Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa as potential suitors for the Rangers star [Give Me Sport].
Crystal Palace move for Cheick Doucoure won’t impact Joe Aribo interest
Doubts crept in regarding those Selhurst Park links to Joe Aribo amid reports Crystal Palace are closing in on a £22.5m deal for Cheick Doucoure.
The Mali international and Lens midfielder, 22, is said to be the London club’s “principal midfield target”.
But Dan Cook is claiming that even with the Doucoure deal nearing completion, Crystal Palace are also in the hunt for versatile Rangers star Aribo.
“There is also a suggestion from north of the border that we are still very much in for Joe Aribo from Rangers,” said Cook.
“Apparently, this move for Cheick Doucoure doesn’t affect our interest in the former Charlton man and a bid somewhere in the region of eight to 10 million pounds should be enough for Rangers to give that deal a green light.
“In relation to Joe Aribo and where exactly he might fit into Patrick Vieira’s first-team set-up, I think it’s important to stress that his positional versatility is absolutely key in this particular pursuit.
“He is someone who has operated as a ten, he’s operated as an eight, he’s operated on a wide area of midfield, but he’s also played left-back for Rangers as well.
“And I think having that sort of Swiss Army opportunity to slot him in all across the 11 is something that will appeal to Patrick Vieira and his coaching staff.”
Joe Aribo joined Rangers from Charlton for a reported £300k development fee in the summer of 2019 and has gone on to make 148 appearances at Ibrox, scoring 26 goals.
Meanwhile, the latest reports are suggesting that another Rangers midfielder has played his final game for the club.