Aribo could be on his way to Aston Villa as Gerrard looks to make him his first signing

SUPER Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo could be on his way to the English Premier League during the January transfer window amid rumours that his former head coach Steven Gerrard is keen to drag him to Aston Villa who he is now managing.

Former England skipper Gerrard, used to manage Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers up until last week and while he was there, he signed Aribo and made him his midfield lynchpin. Last week, Aston Villa named Gerrard as their new manager following the sacking of Dean Smith and he now wants to bring his protégé south of the border with him.

Regarded as Gerrard's most trusted man during his time with Glasgow Rangers, Aribo has been tipped to be his first signing during the next transfer window which opens on January 1 2022. Aribo has been one of Rangers' most consistent performers this season and has developed from being a talented yet inconsistent individual to a player that simply cannot be dropped.

According to the Rangers website rangersnews.uk, the new Villa boss could be interested in signing the Aribo who made 43 appearances as the Ibrox side strolled to the Premiership title and made the Europa League last 16 last season. Gerrard, the former Liverpool legend, took Aribo to Scotland after the expiration of his contract with Charlton Athletic and the 25-year-old midfielder made an instant impact at the club.

“Realistically, how long can Rangers expect to keep hold of their diamond? With Steven Gerrard in the Midlands for the best part of two minutes before rumours began surfacing regarding the Englishman wanting Aribo for his Villa side, it could be a long January for van Bronckhorst,” rangersnews.uk wrote.