Nottingham Forest on red alert as transfer target rejects Rangers contract

Nottingham Forest have been put on red alert after transfer target Joe Aribo "rejected" a new contract offer from Rangers.

The 25-year-old midfielder has been linked with Forest for some time, with the Reds said to be among a number of English clubs interested in signing the Rangers star. Aribo was on impressive form for large parts of last season at Ibrox and, while his form dipped after the Africa Cup of Nations, he scored in the Europa League final and was key to Rangers' Scottish Cup win.

According to talkSPORT (via Daily Record), Forest are joined by Southampton, Crystal Palace and Fulham on the list of clubs interested in signing Aribo. The Nigeria international's decision to turn down a new contract could see him become available on a cut-price deal in the current window.

Aribo is out of contact at Rangers next summer, so if he is not keen on staying around then Rangers' hand might be forced. It makes an exit from Ibrox look increasingly likely and a move to Forest would make sense for the midfielder.

Forest need midfield reinforcements after James Garner returned to Manchester United after his loan spell, while Philip Zinckernagel has moved from Watford to Olympiacos on a permanent basis. Wolves' Morgan Gibbs-White has also been heavily linked with the Reds, though he is seen as more of an attacking midfield player.

That said, Aribo can operate in attacking quarters too and even filled in as an emergency striker for Forest. His versatility could be key to head coach Steve Cooper in what will be a physically demanding first season back in the Premier League.

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