Rangers icon ‘worried’ by Joe Aribo exit update
Alex McLeish has claimed he is “worried” about Rangers losing midfield star Joe Aribo to the Premier League “birds of prey” this summer.
The former Gers boss, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 25-year-old could end up being a fall-back option for an English side if they fail to land top targets during the main window.
Aribo, who netted the opening goal as Rangers fell to a devastating shoot-out defeat in the Europa League final, is out of contract at the end of next season.
Football Insider revealed last month (17 April) that Crystal Palace are among multiple Premier League sides interested in the Nigeria international.
McLeish claimed players will “almost always” choose to leave Scotland for teams south of the border, with Aribo no exception.
He told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge: “It’s a worry, isn’t it?
“The lure of the Premier League is very real. The main example of that is Steven Gerrard leaving Rangers to go to Aston Villa.
“It’s the strongest and richest league in the world.
“These Premier League clubs are like birds of prey circling. If they can’t land their targets in the Spanish or Italian leagues, they know there are always bargains to be had in Scotland.
“Rangers are one of the biggest clubs in the world. However, the ambition of most players means they will almost always choose to move to England.
“Aribo will be no different.”
The midfielder netted nine goals and notched 10 assists in 57 appearances during the 2021/22 campaign.
He joined the Ibrox club from Charlton in 2019.
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