Celtic are set to make a huge announcement on Friday, confirming Neil Lennon as their new manager, according to the Scottish Sun.
He will then “step up his interest” in Charlton midfielder Joe Aribo – a player that Rangers are also interested in according to the report.
Goal had previously reported Rangers were keen on the 22-year-old who is out of contract in the summer.
However, according to the Scottish Sun, Lennon has had Aribo watched a number of times and could sign the player who is available for a small compensation fee.
He is set to sanction a move for Aribo, who scored 10 goals for Charlton last season, presumably as soon as he’s confirmed as manager.
OPINION
This could be a key battle between the two Scottish sides and Rangers are about to lose their advantage in the transfer market. While Lennon was still interim manager and with talks ongoing over him taking the role permanently, Rangers could sign players in front of their rivals. However, it looks like Lennon is set to be confirmed today as the new boss and that will free them to start spending. Aribo is a quality player and he will be available for a bargain fee, with just compensation owed to Charlton. That would be a coup for Lennon if he could steal in and prove that Celtic still have the draw in Scotland, with Steven Gerrard reportedly keen on the 22-year-old. However, there’s no forgone conclusion in Scotland any more. Rangers are a growing force and in manager Gerrard they have a boss that young players will be keen to work for. Aribo could go either way and there’s still competition from Aston Villa too. Aribo might feel he has more chance of game time north of the border, though.