Monday 24 June 2019 21:13, UK
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has confirmed Joe Aribo is having a medical ahead of a planned move from Charlton.
Aribo is out of contract with Charlton at the end of the month - and manager Lee Bowyer confirmed on Friday that the 22-year-old had turned down a new deal.
Barring any problems with his medical, Aribo is expected to join up with the Rangers squad in Portugal, after they flew to the Algarve to begin their pre-season programme.
Gerrard told Sky Sports: "We believe there was Premier League and European clubs chasing Joe, which is no surprise.
"I think a lot of Championship clubs were there in the hat as well. It obviously came out in the public domain that Celtic had made him an offer as well.
"So, if we manage to get that one over the line, it will be a big coup for us.
"He is something we haven't got, we haven't got a left-footed midfielder so, if and when that deal is done, he will give us natural balance.
"He has got an impressive profile, he is dynamic and he has got a lot of parts of his game that are already strong."
Gerrard confirmed he is interested in bringing back Ryan Kent to Ibrox after his successful campaign on loan from Liverpool last season but admits Rangers are likely to face competition for the 22-year-old.
"There is always competition for top players," Gerrard said. "Yes, we would like Ryan Kent back. The reality is he is Liverpool's player so we have to respect that.
"Jurgen Klopp, I am sure, will want to take a look at Ryan. We will respect Liverpool's decision on which direction they want to on the Ryan Kent situation.
"But we are at the table. We love the player. We feel like we have done a good job on him for 12 months and we still feel there is more to come."
Gerrard also said Rangers have not received any offers for striker Alfredo Morelos, who is with the squad on their preseason training camp in Portugal.
"He is Rangers player. He had a positive season in terms of numbers. He is here and he is a Rangers player at the moment," Gerrard said.
"The reality is we have not had any offers for any of our players. [That is] where we sit right now."
