Transfer News: Manchester City set to challenge Arsenal for Joe Aribo

Charlton Athletic youngster Joe Aribo, who is on the radar of Arsenal, is reportedly drawing interest from Premier League champions Manchester City.

Daily Mail claim that Manchester City have entered the race for Joe Aribo. The Charlton Athletic youngster has been linked with a move to the Premier League for a while now, with Arsenal the named suitor in recent months. But, the Premier League champions have joined the Gunners in pursuit of the midfielder.

Joe Aribo joined Charlton Athletic in 2015 and has gone through the paces in the academy en route to donning the number 17 shirt for the senior team. As a player, Aribo had earlier described himself to be at his best when driving with the ball and a handy customer in attack, something that has shined through in his performances for Charlton in League One.

A tally of 10 goals and 5 assists from the central midfield is more than decent and it is the same return from Aribo’s 2018-19 season that has brought forth interest from Arsenal and Manchester City.

Arsenal are working on a tight budget, with reports stating that Unai Emery will not be given more than £40 million unless the club manages to qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League final against Chelsea. One of the main reasons behind their interest in Aribo is the fact that he could be available for a measly compensation fee.

The 22-year-old has decided to not to sign an extension at Charlton Athletic, with his deal set to expire in the summer, thus enabling him to enter into talks with other clubs.

Manchester City, on the other hand, have shockingly entered the race for Aribo. Pep Guardiola has been rumoured to be seeking a move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri. But, Aribo could be a masterstroke by the Manchester City board if they can manage to get him to sign the dotted line.

City will command a greater stature than Arsenal due to them winning the Premier League for two seasons in a row now, with the allure of Champions League football something that the Gunners are not sure of being able to provide to Aribo.

On the other hand, the Charlton youngster could take heart from how Matteo Guendouzi has managed to make a regular place for himself in the first-team setup in his first season at Arsenal itself, something City have not shown to be doing with youngsters as of yet.

Arsenal seem like a team that are unlikely to make crazy deals or reinforcements in the central midfield and Aribo could find regular first-team minutes at Emirates. But, for now, there has been no indication as to which way the 22-year-old is heading, although one thing is certain; he seems to be heading out of Charlton.