NOTTINGHAM FOREST have jumped to the head of the queue in the battle to sign Ibrox ace Joe Aribo.
The Premier League outfit will spend big to make sure they land him.
Joe Aribo celebrates after scoring in Europa League final Credit: Willie Vass There has been interest from Fulham and Crystal Palace in the Rangers star, while Aston Villa, managed by ex-Gers gaffer Steven Gerrard, have also been linked to the midfielder.
But after 23 years out of the top flight, billionaire Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is determined to make sure they avoid heading back to the Championship.
The Greek shipping tycoon has sanctioned a club record £17million deal for Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi.
And he has now given boss Steve Cooper the green light to pursue his interest in Awoniyi’s Nigeria team-mate Aribo.
The Rangers midfielder is highly-rated by his national team and was named midfielder of the year at Nigerian football’s annual “Ballers Awards”.
He’s made a name for himself in the Scottish Premiership, but his claim to fame in a Rangers shirt was when he scored the opening goal in the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt last season.
And the Gers stand to make a significant profit on the 25-year-old, who was signed from Charlton for just £300,000 in 2019.
Aribo’s entering the final 12 months of his contract with representatives indicating the player is unlikely to sign a new deal.
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Meanwhile, ex-Ibrox boss Gerrard is prepared to do battle with Sevilla for Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos.
The 26-year-old is in the final year of his contract at Ibrox and is one of eight Rangers players who could leave on a free and sign a pre-contract elsewhere in January.
Before going down with a season-ending injury, Morelos had scored 18 goals in 41 matches for the Light Blues in 2021/22.
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And It’s being reported that Gerrard wants to add Morelos to his Aston Villa side ahead of his first full season in charge at Villa Park
Estadio Deportivo are claiming the Villa gaffer has “put himself in Sevilla’s path” over a deal.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
