Rangers are very close to securing Charlton Athletic midfielder Joe Aribo on a free transfer, according to reports in the Scottish media.

Celtic, Southampton and Bundelisga clubs have all tabled contract offers to the 22-year-old, but it appears the Gers have won the battle.

A report at the beginning of the week had suggested that Aribo had been left impressed by manager Steven Gerrard’s promise of first-team football.

Whether that has proven to be decisive in securing his signature, we shall have to wait and see.

If Aribo does indeed sign on the dotted line, it will be Rangers’ fifth signing of the summer. The Light Blues have already closed deals for Steven Davis, Jake Hastie, Jordan Jones and Greg Stewart.

None of the transfers would have cost the club a transfer fee, showing the shrewd business that manager Gerrard and director of football Mark Allen have done so far.