OPINION
Aston Villa could pull off an excellent signing if they manage to secure a deal for Charlton Athletic midfielder Joe Aribo during the summer transfer window.
According to a report from the reliable news outlet Football League World, Aston Villa are weighing up a move for Aribo this summer, with Smith’s side thought to be preparing to send scouts to watch the midfielder play for Charlton in their League 1 play-off final against Sunderland.
Aribo has had an excellent season for Charlton scoring ten goals and providing five assists for Lee Bower’s side from midfield, which will have alerted clubs to the 22-year-old’s potential to play at a higher level.
Depending on what happens to Villa in their Championship play-off final against Derby County, Smith’s side might need to go into the transfer market to find a replacement for the influential Jack Grealish, who might be tempted to leave Villa Park to play in the Premier League if the club miss out on promotion.
That would make a move for Aribo even more appealing, with the 22-year-old able to provide the sort of dynamic performances from midfield that would be needed to fill the void left by Grealish were the Englishman to leave.
A scout report from the Daily Mail, described Aribo as having calmness in possession and a cool head under pressure, with good athleticism and an excellent passing range, which suggests he would be an ideal player to fill the creative void left in Villa’s midfield if Grealish leaves the club.
Although it is not known at the moment whether Villa’s interest in Aribo is dependent on them potentially losing the services of Grealish if they fail to earn promotion.
However, much will depend on the outcomes of both Aston Villa’s and Charlton’s respective play-off finals, with Charlton being in a better position to keep hold of the 22-year-old should they earn promotion, and Smith’s side maybe deciding to pursue other targets should they earn promotion.
Aribo though would be just the type of player Smith has the ability to develop, as he did during his time at Brentford with a number of young players, and if he makes the move to Villa Park he would be another talented addition to Villa’s squad.