It is no secret that Patrick Vieira and the Crystal Palace faithful are desperate to make Chelsea loanee, Conor Gallagher, a permanent Palace player.

Although it won't be easy, with Chelsea quoting the Eagles a fee of £50m to commence conversations around the 22-year-old's future.

With Gallagher's future at Selhurst Park in doubt, fans will be glad to hear that a replacement has been identified.

What's the word?

According to Football Insider sources, Crystal Palace are said to be keeping tabs on Rangers' 25-year-old midfielder; Joe Aribo.

The Nigeria international is reportedly receiving a lot of attention from Premier League sides, with Aston Villa and Leicester City both said to be in for him.

Palace appear to be one step ahead though, as they sent scouts to watch him in Rangers' emphatic win over Portuguese outfit Braga in the Europa League on Thursday night.

A viable replacement

No doubt, Palace fans will be gutted if Conor Gallagher's permanency at the club fails to come to fruition.

Though, in Aribo, they would have a player who offers a similar service for a fraction of the price.

The left-footed maestro, who has been described as "dangerous" by Giovanni van Bronckhorst, has always had end product to his game but this season he has found that next level.

In 31 appearances for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, the £14k-per-week talent has notched up a respectable 14 goal contributions in the form of eight goals and six assists,

His creative ability was on show for all to see in Thursday night's historic win over Braga, with his two assists proving to be vital in Rangers' progression to the semi-finals of the Europa League.

With Gallagher's loan spell expiring in the summer, if they fail to reacquire his services, they will have a creative void left in their midfield.

With Aribo's contract set to expire in 2023, Vieira could be looking at a £9m-rated replacement who has very similar offensive stats to the eight goal Gallagher and has experience playing in European competitions.

Crystal Palace are right to eye the signing of Aribo in what could be one of the most astute acquisitions of the summer.

In other news: Forget Gallagher: Vieira must now unleash CPFC "star man", "he's so exciting to watch"...