LIKE every player at Rangers and every player in Scottish football, there is a price on Joe Aribo’s head. One day, that number will be met.

The figure will be the value at which Rangers – boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Ross Wilson, the sporting director, and the Ibrox board – feel that they can do business. But, right here and right now, the champions cannot afford to lose Aribo given the cost of failure this season.

Southampton are the latest Premier League club to be credited with an interest in Aribo ahead of the January transfer window. Unfortunately for Van Bronckhorst, they will not be the last.

Since the day that he left Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2019, Aribo has been seemingly destined to play at the highest level in England. If his fate is realised in the next month, it will have a detrimental, potentially devastating, impact on Rangers’ fortunes.

The Ibrox board have, of course, been in this situation before and transfer talk about one of their most prized assets is nothing new. Like in the cases of Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent, their determination to retain such talents will be tested, but they will be rewarded with silverware if they reject the Premier League gold.

There is not a player that Van Bronckhorst has been asked about more in his first month at Ibrox than Aribo. Indeed, there is none about whom he has been as effusive in his praise.

Both of those facts are backed up by one. Right now, Aribo is Rangers’ best player and his influence on the champions cannot be understated or underestimated.

Of all the players within the Ibrox squad that Rangers could make significant profits on – with Glen Kamara, Ianis Hagi and Borna Barisic added to Kent and Morelos – it is Aribo that has the greatest potential. In terms of natural ability, he is top of that list too.

His first two terms with Rangers saw him score nine and eight goals respectively. From 31 appearances to date, his is already on six and he has contributed four assists.

At 25, Aribo has still to enter his peak years and it will be at a level far higher than the Premiership that he will showcase his talents through what will be the finest seasons of his career. Next month, he will have a chance to prove himself on the international stage as he aims to inspire Nigeria to AFCON success in Cameroon.

His style can sometimes be unorthodox, but the speed of his feet contrast with the gangly look of his legs as he picks the ball away from the opposition and escapes from tight situations. There is a wizardry and unpredictability about his attacking play as defenders are twisted, turned and beaten.

A couple of campaigns in Scottish football have made Aribo more robust physically, but it is the way he caresses the ball and his exquisite touch that make him such a wonderful talent to observe. In the eyes of supporters, his stock has never been higher.

That, of course, comes with a downside and there will be a point where a Premier League suitor tempts Rangers into doing business. As well as Southampton, Burnley and Brentford, as well as former boss Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa, are all keen admirers of the London-born playmaker.

The issues for Van Bronckhorst are twofold. Firstly, he doesn’t have a natural successor to Aribo within his squad and, secondly, the bill for recruiting a ready-made replacement will be too rich for Rangers in January.

No player will ever be irreplaceable at Ibrox, but Aribo’s influence is such right now that his departure would be a potentially pivotal moment in the title race. It could even hand the initiative to Celtic.

That is the dilemma that Van Bronckhorst, Wilson and their bosses now face. If the January window comes and goes without Aribo heading for the exit door, it will be a victory in itself for Rangers.

The Premier League is calling for Aribo and that will be the stage upon which he dazzles and delights for years to come. Rangers must ensure that is later rather than sooner.