Aribo Set to Increase Value with AFCON Performance

Rangers star, Joe Aribo may be able to add a few figures onto this transfer value if he shines for Nigeria at the upcoming African Cup of Nations tournament.

The midfielder has arguably been Rangers’ most consistent performer this season, contributing six goals and two assists in 19 league matches as he has taken his performances to a new level.

Rangers fans may be caught in two minds about the upcoming African Cup of Nations tournament. If Aribo performs how he has been all season and leads Nigeria to a fourth title, then it could well increase his £5.85m transfer value significantly [Transfermarkt].

This may be good news on the financial side, but do the club really want to lose their star player? Of course not, yet in the current footballing landscape, Rangers are unfortunately now a selling club.

The Ibrox side signed the Nigerian international and nurtured the player’s potential, making sure he was developed correctly, and this seems to be paying off.

We have seen in the past how having an excellent major competition can suddenly spring a player into the focus of the elite. Take for example James Rodriguez signing for Real Madrid after his displays at the 2014 World Cup.

Aribo is already on the radar of several Premier League sides at the minute, including Brentford, Watford, and Crystal Palace and with 18 months left on his current contract, it might be financially beneficial if Rangers cash in.

He certainly has the potential to inspire Nigeria to the prestigious African Cup of Nations title, although many Rangers fans might get weary if he starts putting in excellent performances.

Meanwhile, Aribo was being compared to American sporting star Michael Jordan following a stunning touch as Rangers defeated Hearts.