Joe Aribo: Rising star could replace Rangers ace after £10m reveal – McLeish
Alex McLeish has suggested Rangers could look to replace Joe Aribo with a “young” creative midfielder if the Nigeria international is sold this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gers manager admitted signing a like-for-like replacement for the 25-year-old and his experience would be a difficult task.
This site first revealed last October that Premier League outfit Crystal Palace are among the clubs keeping tabs on the Nigeria international.
Ibrox sources have told Football Insider that Rangers will demand a £10million-plus transfer fee for Aribo, who is out of contract in 2023.
McLeish admitted the eight-figure fee would be good money for the Light Blues.
He suggested the Glasgow giants may have to look for younger talent to fill his boots.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I think money of that manner is good. Nathan Patterson went for £12million so I would expect that they would want more.
“But at the same time, his contract is up in the next year. That’s a factor.
“Do they have anybody up their sleeve that they could bring in to continually improve the team? On the horizon, a player that’s creative at a young age, for instance.
“If they’re looking for a new kid on the block, they’re not readily there. Aribo, when he came to Rangers, he didn’t have a lot of experience.
“Now he’s got tonnes of experience, playing in Europe, playing in a massively pressured situation against Celtic. That has given him a lot of experience and you see the player he’s turned into.”
Aribo has played 127 times for Rangers since joining on a free after leaving Charlton Athletic.
He has scored six goals and contributed six assists in 36 appearances this term.
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