Aston Villa tipped to make ‘late bid’ for Glasgow Rangers star

Aston Villa are reportedly considering a move to reunite manager Steven Gerrard with Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo.

The Nigerian international has impressed since joining the Glasgow giants in 2019 and he played a lead role to help the Ibrox club to a Scottish Premier League title and Scottish Cup win over the last two seasons.

Aribo’s form earned him a maiden international call-up and he marked his Super Eagles debut with a goal in a 2-2 friendly draw against Ukraine within two months of his move North of the border.

A number of Premier League clubs have been linked with a move to bring Aribo back to England and the 25-year-old has spoken about his future in recent weeks.

He told the Daily Record: “With all that stuff I don’t really read into it and I just focus on my football, because you can’t have distractions as it won’t allow you to play best and be the best that you want to be.

“Which is obviously what I want to be every time I play. I just want to be focused and ready to go.”

Gerrard and Aribo are believed to have formed a close relationship before the former Liverpool and England midfielder moved to Villa Park last season.

Speaking to BT Sport prior to his move to Villa, Gerrard said of his midfielder: "I never said stand up and be counted, I think he always gives you that. He is a great kid, he wants to learn, he wants to grow.

"What I have said to Joe is you are a much better player when you play angry in a nice way, flex your muscles.”

Villa reportedly face competition from the likes of Southampton and Crystal Palace - and journalist Dean Jones believes Gerrard could make a move later in the summer transfer window.

Jones told Give Me Sport: “I think Aribo will become an option a bit later in the window from what I’m told.

“I think he had ideas of going somewhere else that have fallen through, and now they’re going to look at further options, and I know that Villa is just one of those that need to be explored. So that might happen but further down the line.”