Ryan Alebiosu: How much it’ll cost Brentford, Rangers to sign Super Eagles defender

Super Eagles defender Ryan Alebiosu has become one of the hottest properties in the EFL Championship after an impressive campaign with Blackburn Rovers, but interested clubs may have to dig deep to secure his signature, Afrik Foot reports.

The 24-year-old right-back has emerged as a target for Premier League side Brentford and Scottish giants Rangers following a breakthrough season at Ewood Park.

According to Rangers UK, both clubs recently sent scouts to monitor Alebiosu, although a minor illness prevented the Nigerian defender from featuring in one of Blackburn’s pre-season fixtures.

However, while interest in the former Arsenal academy graduate continues to grow, Blackburn have made their stance clear.

Blackburn £8m asking fee for Ryan Alebiosu

Rangers News reports that Blackburn are demanding around £8 million (€9.3m) for Alebiosu.

The Championship side only paid around £576k to sign him from Belgian club KV Kortrijk last summer, while Transfermarkt currently values the Nigerian at just €1.5m.

However, several factors explain Blackburn’s position. Firstly, Alebiosu remains under contract until 2028, giving Rovers significant leverage in negotiations.

Secondly, the club successfully avoided relegation last season, removing any immediate financial pressure to sell key players.

Finally, the defender’s age profile and performances have increased his value. One goal and five assists in 39 Championship appearances, his inclusion in Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 squad, combined with his versatility, have significantly boosted his reputation over the last twelve months.

Can Brentford afford the deal?

Financially, Brentford would have little difficulty meeting Blackburn’s demands.

The Bees have established themselves as one of the Premier League’s smartest business sides and regularly spend significant fees on emerging talents.

Recent transfers involving players such as Igor Thiago and Michael Kayode demonstrate that Brentford are willing to invest heavily when they identify players capable of developing further.

An outlay of around £8m would represent a manageable investment for a Premier League club benefiting from television revenues and regular player sales.

The bigger question for Brentford is not affordability but necessity. With Michael Kayode, Aaron Hickey and even Benjamin Fredrick capable of operating on the right side, Alebiosu would face fierce competition for regular minutes.

Rangers may struggle to match Blackburn’s demands

The situation is very different at Rangers. Although the Scottish giants desperately need reinforcements and view Alebiosu as an ideal long-term option, meeting Blackburn’s asking price could prove problematic.

An £8m fee would likely rank among the most expensive signings in Rangers’ history, precisely the third most-expensive arrival, slightly above Youssef Chermiti and Mikel Arteta.

While the club’s new ownership has shown ambition in the market, spending that amount on a full-back would represent a major financial commitment.

Rangers may therefore need Blackburn to lower their demands or structure a deal involving instalments and bonuses.

Is Alebiosu worth £8m?

Alebiosu is entering his prime years, possesses Premier League-level athleticism and already has experience in England, Belgium and Scotland.

The fact that clubs from Italy, Germany, Scotland and England are all monitoring him also strengthens Blackburn’s negotiating position.

For Brentford, the fee is affordable, but there are questions about playing opportunities.

For Rangers, the sporting project is near perfect, but the financial hurdle remains substantial.

Ultimately, Blackburn’s £8m asking fee reflects both Alebiosu’s rapid rise and the growing demand for modern attacking full-backs.

Whether either Brentford or Rangers are prepared to meet that figure could determine where the Super Eagles defender plays next season.