Premier League clubs Aston Villa are set to rival Leicester City in the race to sign Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo in January.
A recent report from Fichajes has offered an update on the future of Joe Aribo. The Rangers midfielder is expected to move to the Premier League in the upcoming January transfer window, with two clubs in the form of Aston Villa and Leicester City interested in his services.
Aston Villa have been listed as the favourite in the race to sign the midfielder, thanks to his relationship with manager Steven Gerrard. The two had worked together during their time at Rangers, with the player notably featuring in 112 competitive matches under the leadership of Gerrard, before the latter moved to Villa Park earlier this year.
A central midfielder by trade, Aribo has impressed the onlookers with his offensive prowess. The former Charlton Athletic starlet can indeed operate as an out and out playmaker or even a winger if required. His numbers at Rangers speak for themselves, with the 25-year-old taking part in 43 goals in 123 competitive matches for the club.
Aribo’s performances in Scotland have not gone unnoticed, with Aston Villa and Leicester City both interested in his services. The midfielder is reportedly a target for Crystal Palace as well, so a January move to England could soon be on the horizon.
While Villa are primarily targeting the Rangers midfielder in order to reunite him with Gerrard, Leicester aren’t far behind. In fact, their midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has an excellent relationship with the Nigerian international, and it is believed that he is trying to lure the 25-year-old to the King Power Stadium in January.
However, both the clubs may need to act swiftly if they are to secure the services of Aribo next month. The midfielder is soon expected to join the Nigerian camp for the upcoming African Cup of Nations, so a deal must be struck before the competition starts.
The influence of Gerrard does make Villans the slight favourite in this chase. But Aribo isn’t the Rangers midfielder courted by the club, who are also in the market for Finnish international Glen Kamara. It remains to be seen who they end up signing in the mid-season trading period next month.