Journalist is 'sure' Aston Villa will be ready to swoop for Joe Aribo in the summer

Transfer insider Pete O’Rourke is ‘sure’ that Aston Villa would be prepared to sign Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo during the summer window.

Aribo has been heavily linked with a move away from Ibrox after entering the final 18 months of his contract while showing no signs of putting pen to paper on a new deal.

The highly-rated 25-year-old has been a huge success since signing for Rangers from Charlton Athletic for just £300,000 back in July 2019.

Since then, Aribo has scored 23 goals and provided 21 assists in 127 appearances for the Ibrox outfit, playing a pivotal part as they claimed their first Scottish Premiership title in 10 years last season.

His outstanding displays in the middle of the park have reportedly caught the eye of several Premier League sides, though, and Rangers are facing an uphill battle to keep him at the club.

According to The Sun, Crystal Palace have placed the Nigeria international at the ‘top of their shopping list’ when the transfer market re-opens as they look to replace loan star Conor Gallagher.

Previous reports meanwhile have also credited Brentford, Watford and Southampton with an interest in Aribo, who is believed to have a £10 million asking price.

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But it’s Villa who could have the upper hand in any tussle for the 6 foot dynamo’s signature as new manager Steven Gerrard signed him for the Gers and significantly aided his progression.

BirminghamLive stated in November that Gerrard may be keen for a reunion with Aribo at Villa Park and O’Rourke believes his arrival would represent ‘good business’ for the Midlands outfit.

He told GiveMeSport: “Villa, where Steven Gerrard obviously is, I’m sure would be ready to come in