A leading tabloid journalist has quashed reports that Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo is a £9m target for Premier League club Crystal Palace.
Football Insider had claimed that Patrick Viera’s side were interested in signing the Nigerian international this summer as he enters the final year of his Ibrox deal.
However, speaking to Give Me Sport – who also value the ex-Charlton star at £9m – Sun journalist Tom Barclay has a different take.
According to the tabloid journalist, Crystal Palace are not setting their sights on Joe Aribo as they step up their hunt for a replacement for Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher.
“It makes sense and I can see why they are being linked with midfielders because of Gallagher leaving in the summer,” said Barclay.
“But, from what I’m told, I’m not sure that is the case.”
What next for Rangers and Joe Aribo as Crystal Palace exit links quashed?
This news will be of particular interest to Rangers supporters who remain unsure of the future of Joe Aribo as he enters the final 12 months of his deal.
Signed on a cut-price compensation fee deal after his contract expired at Charlton Athletic in 2019, the 25-year-old midfielder has gone on to cement himself as an important part of the Rangers squad.
Perhaps the club’s stand-out player in the first half of the season, the second half of Joe Aribo’s campaign has not been so strong since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.
But as the season bottlenecks, Rangers star Aribo has had a return to form that has had fans reconsidering earlier suggestions that this might be his final season in Light Blue.
Reports that Crystal Palace are not interested in Joe Aribo will also pique the interest of Rangers fans as they look ahead to a potential summer rebuild under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Much of this squad has been together for quite some time and with the likes of Joe Aribo, Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Filip Helander all entering the final year of their deals some turnover is expected.
But if the Premier League and specifically Crystal Palace doesn’t come calling for Joe Aribo, could Rangers convince him to sign a new deal and be part of the squad next season?
Speaking of Rangers transfers, the Gers are reportedly eyeing a move for a former German youth international.
