There could be a midfield exodus at Aston Villa this summer with Douglas Luiz, Morgan Sanson and Conor Hourihane being linked with a departure, but Steven Gerrard may have already lined up a replacement – Joe Aribo.
The 25-year-old joined Rangers on a four-year deal from Charlton Athletic in 2019 and has gone on to make 147 appearances in all competitions, scoring 26 goals with 25 assists.
Aribo has been a regular under Giovanni van Bronckhorst this season, making 56 appearances across the board, scoring nine goals with 10 assists. The Nigerian international has had a hand in 14 goals from 31 Premiership games this campaign, so he wouldn’t be a bad option for Villa.
Alan Hutton believes Aribo would be a good signing, telling Football Insider: “Aribo is very much the profile of some of the players that are already there. What he does give you is that versatility. He can play all along the front, he can play in midfield. He’s that type of player.
“Obviously Steven Gerrard knows him inside out, knows what he’s capable of, what level he can play at. I’m pretty sure if he did go down to Villa, they’re obviously my other team, he would do well.”
Aribo has one year remaining on his deal at Rangers and is yet to put pen to paper on a contract extension, so the Scottish giants may have a difficult decision to make.
The 25-year-old can leave on a free transfer next year, so Rangers might have to cash in this summer rather than risk losing him for nothing. Gerrard will know Aribo well from his time at Rangers, but time will tell if he makes a move.
In other news, Alan Hutton tips Steven Gerrard to ‘move out’ Bertrand Traore
