Crystal Palace: Update on 'Vieira-like' £9m star linked with Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace have not set their sights on welcoming Rangers central midfielder Joe Aribo to Selhurst Park as a Conor Gallagher replacement, according to The Sun journalist Tom Barclay.

The Eagles have enjoyed a positive first season under Patrick Vieira, who was appointed as the club’s manager last summer, and it appears he has already started to identify targets ahead of the summer transfer window.

According to Football Insider, Palace are stepping up their interest in Aribo and mulling over whether to test Rangers’ resolve at the end of the season.

The report suggests the Premier League side sent scouts to watch the 25-year-old, who has previously been likened to Vieira, in action as his current employers overcame Portuguese side Braga to book their place in the Europa League semi-finals earlier this month.

Vieira has clearly been a long-term admirer of Aribo as he was first linked with a move to Selhurst Park last October, but a mid-season move failed to materialise in January.

Aribo is set to enter the final 12 months of his £14,000-per-week contract in the summer, so Rangers may see the upcoming window as the perfect opportunity to cash-in if they are unable to tie him down to an extended deal.

The former Charlton Athletic man has been a key member of Rangers’ midfield since heading north of the border, with him chalking up more than 140 appearances and also getting his hands on the Scottish Premiership title last term.

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Barclay understands why Palace are being linked with Aribo, who is valued at £9million by Transfermarkt, as Vieira puts his summer plans in place.

However, the journalist believes the 17-cap Nigeria international is not at the top of the