Aston Villa are no longer interested in signing Rangers attacking midfielder Joe Aribo, according to the Express & Star journalist Matt Maher.

The local reporter, who has insider sources at the Premier League side, claims that Steven Gerrard isn’t looking to strengthen his options in the middle of the park.

Villa have been linked with Aribo ever since Gerrard left Rangers for the Midlands club but it appears that the Nigerian international won’t be joining his former manager this summer.

At the weekend, it was claimed that three other EPL teams: Crystal Palace, Fulham and Nottingham Forest were the likeliest to make a bid for the 25-year-old.

Aribo only has a year left on his current deal at Ibrox and the player is not believed to be prepared to sign an extension. With the Gers unwilling to let him run down his contract, it has been assumed that the midfielder will be sold if a club makes a satisfactory offer.