Arsenal are interested in signing Charlton Athletic midfielder Joe Aribo on a free transfer this summer, with a belief that he could develop into an Aaron Ramsey replacement.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Joe Aribo of Charlton celebrates after scoring his sides third goal to win the match during the Checkatrade Trophy match between Charlton and Fulham at The Valley on November 1, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 01: Joe Aribo of Charlton celebrates after scoring his sides third goal to win the match during the Checkatrade Trophy match between Charlton and Fulham at The Valley on November 1, 2017, in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Both Football.London and the Mirror report that Arsenal are hoping to snap up the 22-year-old when his contract expires this summer.

They’d have to pay a training compensation fee for Charlton, as the Addicks developed the Englishman as a youth player. Other than that, the Gunners could bring him in without having to pay a transfer fee, assuming he doesn’t sign an extension before then.

With the likes of Joe Gomez, Jonjo Shelvey, Ademola Lookman and Arsenal’s Carl Jenkinson stepping up from Charlton to the Premier League, their academy has a great record for a League One club. However, they don’t want to lose Aribo, and contract talks are ongoing.

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 30: Joe Aribo of Charlton Athletic leaves the pitch with Alastair Thrush during the Sky Bet League One match between Northampton Town and Charlton Athletic at Sixfields on March 30, 2018 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 30: Joe Aribo of Charlton Athletic leaves the pitch with Alastair Thrush during the Sky Bet League One match between Northampton Town and Charlton Athletic at Sixfields on March 30, 2018, in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

Aribo has made 28 appearances as a central midfielder this season, all in League One, and he’s scored six goals and assisted two in those matches. A midfielder chipping in with a goal or two would really help Arsenal at the moment, given only Lacazette and Aubameyang have scored more than six goals in all competitions.

It remains to be seen whether Aribo could make the step up and continue performing at the same level.