Charlton manager Lee Bowyer has insisted that Joe Aribo wants to stay at the Valley despite interest from Arsenal.
The youngster has been a key player for the Addicks this season as they look on track secure a top six finish in League One - securing a place in the play-offs for promotion to the Championship.
Speaking to South London Pres s,, Bowyer said that he believes that despite the efforts of Aribo's agent, the winger is enjoying his time in south London.
Bowyer said: “If it’s true then it’s good on our behalf. It means the job we are doing with him is a good job.
“But I think it’s his agent, if I’m honest. I’m not reading too much into that.
“I spoke to Joe last week, I had a meeting with him. He wants to sign and I think it’s just trying to agree with his agent.
“Joe likes it here. He’s learning and improving – that’s all you can say.
“He knows this is a good place for him to be. The lad is improving lots.”
Arsenal plans for first summer transfer hit snag as Charlton push to keep young star Joe Aribo
Aribo is out of contract at the end of the season but football.london reported yesterday that talks between the 22-year-old and the Addicks are ongoing, though convincing him to agree to new terms remains an uphill battle.
Arsenal are among the clubs waiting in the wings to snare Aribo, a dynamic midfielder who has scored six goals in 26 League One games this season and is viewed by some within youth football as having the skillset that could see him develop into an Aaron Ramsey-type player.
Who is Joe Aribo? The Charlton prodigy who is said to be attracting the attention of Arsenal
Sources around Charlton acknowledge that it would be a tough sell indeed to keep Aribo from the Premier League if the club fail to escape League One this season. However there is hope that, were the south Londoners to gain promotion to the Championship, the prospect of regular football at a higher level might convince him to stay.
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