By Alan Hutton

21st Dec, 2021 | 8:00pm

Hutton: Rangers 'will have to' accept 'massive' Aribo bid after Southampton latest

Rangers could make a “massive profit” on “standout” star Joe Aribo, according to Alan Hutton.

The former Gers defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Ibrox club will part with the 25-year-old “if the fee is big enough”.

According to the Daily Record (20 December), Southampton are weighing up a potential move for Aribo after sending scouts to watch the Nigerian on a number of occasions.

The midfielder is into the last 18 months of his Rangers contract.

Aribo joined the Gers in 2019 upon the expiry of his Charlton contract.

Hutton hinted that a healthy fee could see Rangers part with their “standout” man.

“It will depend on the fee,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.

“Rangers got him for a minimal outlay when he came cross-border, so there’ll obviously be a massive profit involved.

“I think when you’re playing at the level he is, playing internationally and on the European stage – there’s always going to be teams looking at you.

“He’s been the standout, especially since Van Bronckhorst has come in. He’s really freed him up in that midfield, and Aribo has responded by taking his game to a new level.

“Gerrard spoke about it a lot when he was in charge. Rangers don’t need to sell, but if the fee is big enough then they will have to take it.”

Aribo has scored six and assisted four in 31 Rangers games so far this term.

The midfielder is likely to join up with Nigeria for the African Cup of Nations next month.

In other news, pundit explains “biggest challenge” for Giovanni van Bronckhorst at Rangers after Kemar Roofe’s Instagram reveal.