Joe Aribo: Whelan raises questions about £10m move as Aston Villa race to seal deal
Joe Aribo must seek assurances about playing time before making a decision on a summer move to Aston Villa, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, hinted that the 25-year-old could find himself well down the pecking order with the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Jacob Ramsey, Emiliano Buendia, and John McGinn also on the books at Villa Park.
According to The Sun (14 May), Aston Villa have joined Brentford in the race for Rangers star Aribo ahead of the summer window - with former Gers boss Steven Gerrard plotting a reunion.
The report claims the Ibrox club could be forced to sell for less than £10m - with the Nigeria international out of contract in May 2023.
Football Insider revealed last month (17 April) that Crystal Palace are stepping up their interest in Aribo - with scouts watching him in action for Rangers.
Whelan suggested Gerrard may be planning to sell a Villa star to make way for the midfielder.
He told Football Insider's Ewan Kingsbury: “They’re certainly trying to bolster their ranks in that central midfield and number ten position, aren’t they?
“You don’t want to over-saturate your squad – especially when they have very good, international-calibre players ahead in the pecking order – Coutinho, Ramsey, Buendia, McGinn.
“Aribo has got to ask himself and ask Aston Villa – ‘am I going to be playing week-in, week-out?’
“He can play other positions around that midfield, I’m sure, but is he comfortable doing that almost every week?
“Gerrard may want to bring in a player he knows and trusts. He may well have something in mind to try and deal with the situation this summer.
"Someone could make way.”