MARK ALLEN reckons the capture of highly-rated midfielder Joe Aribo proves Rangers’ pulling power in the transfer market.
Aribo has become the seventh signing of the summer for boss Steven Gerrard after completing a switch from Charlton Athletic.
The 22-year-old had attracted interest from Southampton and Aston Villa as well as clubs in Germany and Portugal.
And Director of Football Allen is pleased to get the deal done.
READ MORE: Steven Gerrard sold Joe Aribo on his move to Rangers as midfielder pens Ibrox deal
Allen said: “We fought off a lot of competition, I don’t think there is any secret in terms of the teams that were interested in Joe.
“He felt that this was the right project for him.
“We are satisfied where are with it and he was a target from very early doors.
“I think the proof is in the pudding when the player signs on the dotted line. We are under no illusions about the level of this club, the exposure, the 50,000 every other week.
“This club is a massive club, I have said that from day one. When you get to look under the skin and see what it is all about, then it becomes a much easier decision to make.”
The deal for Aribo is the latest boost for boss Gerrard this summer as he puts his plans in place for the new season.
Rangers have no interest in Gerrard’s former Liverpool team-mate Martin Skrtel but further deals are in the pipeline.
READ MORE: Nikola Katic ready for another fight at Rangers after impressing for club and country
Allen said: “I think I have said on a number of occasions that for us, especially being back early with the Europa League qualifiers, it was vital that we got our targets boxed off as quickly as we could and that has been the case. I am satisfied with that.
“There have been a lot of late nights and early mornings but we have been quite focused on where we have been trying to get to from the word go. I am pleased to say that has gone well.
“I think I have always said that we will never say that it is closed until the window is closed. We are satisfied with where we are to date. Let’s just see what else happens.”
Gerrard has spent recent days putting his squad through their paces in Portugal.
A handful of out of favour players have been left in Glasgow and have no future at Ibrox.
Allen said: “I think I said just before the end of the season, and I have said it consistently, every season the bar gets raised and the manager will assess his squad in terms of what he believes he needs to take us to the next level.
“Unfortunately there are going to be people that fall out of that and our job now is to reconcile that the best way we can for us, the player and the football club.”
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