Rangers boss makes big Joe Aribo transfer admission amid Aston Villa links

Giovanni van Bronckhorst admits the Joe Aribo is close to the Ibrox exit door. Speaking to Sky Sports the Rangers boss expressed his excitement at the imminent arrival of Antonio Colak from PAOK – but accepted that Aribo is likely to leave.

The 25-year-old has been a pivotal part of the Gers’ midfield since arriving from Charlton Athletic in 2019. He made 57 appearances last term, scoring and assisting nine apiece. Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Aribo since Steven Gerrard ’ s arrival, with Southampton, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest also credited with an interest in the midfielder.

Southampton seem to have won the race with van Bronckhorst opening up about the Nigeria international. “Joe is a very important player for us. He has been really good for this club for the last years,” he said.

"His development was really good and at the moment he has ambitions to play in the Premier League, so that is his mission and it is probably what is going to happen in the near future.

"But it is what you want as a club, to get talented players into the club and develop them into really good players and eventually the player has their own ambitions. But what he has done for this club has been fantastic."

Gerrard regularly raved about Aribo during his time as Rangers manager. Speaking last year, the Villa boss said of Aribo: “What I’ve said to Joe is, ‘You are a much better player when you play angry in a nice way. Flex your muscles, you are six foot three, you are a big strong lad, go and put yourself about’. And when he does, he is a joy to watch.”