Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is plotting to hold talks with Charlton midfielder Joe Aribo in a bid to triumph over Celtic and other interested clubs in securing his signing on a free transfer, according to Football Insider.
The reputable football news outlet claim that the 22-year-old has rejected current club Charlton’s offer of a new contract, leaving him set to be available for a bargain when his current deal comes to an end this summer.
It is stated that Rangers, Celtic and other clubs are trailing Eintracht Frankfurt in the hunt but Gerrard is hoping to discuss a move and convince him Ibrox is the right place to be.
Opinion
It sounds as though Aribo has made his mind up to leave Charlton this summer, which is a shame in a way after he helped them to the Championship via the play-offs. The club and the fans would have no doubt hoping that moving up to the second tier could have helped convince him to stay on board and ply his trade for the Addicks for at least another season but the temptation of a move away for nothing seems to be too great. Rangers are surely a tempting offer but with Celtic also in the mix, Gerrard faces a battle to try and get him on board at Ibrox – why join the runners up when the champions are keen? Perhaps the manager might think he can promise greater playing time for the Light Blues but with a midfield already packed with talent, that might not be entirely true. Either way, Frankfurt are named as the front runners and the chance to play in the German top flight might be a little bit more tempting than Scotland. It promises to be a fascinating transfer hunt nonetheless.