Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of Rangers playmaker Joe Aribo has taken a twist with reports that Steve Cooper is “closing in” on an alternative target.
The Reds are understood to be one of three Premier League clubs interested in bringing the former Charlton Athletic midfielder back south of the border to England. However, our sister title the Daily Record are today reporting that Forest have turned their attention to Domen Crnigoj, a versatile midfielder from Venezia who, the report says, is “edging closer” to the City Ground.
Tuttomercatoweb reported last week that Forest had opened talks with Crnigoj. The two-time European champions are allegedly "confident" that a deal can be agreed. That move won’t rule out a move for Aribo, it says, but claims Cooper is aiming to add the experienced Slovenian to his Premier League squad imminently.
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London-born Nigeria international Aribo, meanwhile, has spent the last three years north of the border but has just a year left on his current contract and has apparently ‘made it clear’ that an extension won’t be signed to stay at Ibrox Stadium. Aribo previously played three seasons at Charlton, helping them to League One promotion before being tempted to Scotland by then-manager Steven Gerrard.
At just 25 years old, Aribo has almost has almost 250 club appearances to his name but has become particularly productive at Rangers in recent seasons. Last campaign, the attack-minded midfielder scored nine goals and assisted another 10 as the Glasgow giants were runners-up in the Europa League final and lifted the Scottish FA Cup.
That form, and the player’s favourable contract situation, has reportedly attracted interest from the Premier League. Crystal Palace have long been linked with bringing the Camberwell-born playmaker back to the capital, but Championship champions Fulham, as well as the Reds, are now also apparently "really interested" in the player, according to allnigeriasoccer.com.
They add that Rangers are "resigned to losing" resigned to losing Aribo this summer and are open to offers this window to avoid losing him on a free transfer in a year’s time.
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