Players cutting their teeth in Scotland and then earning a move to the Premier League is pretty commonplace. Celtic and Southampton have, in particular, formed a strong link. The likes of Virgil van Dijk and Victor Wanyama have followed this trend. Now though, as per David Ornstein, Rangers star Joe Aribo could make the move to the south coast.
🚨 EXCL: Southampton are in talks to sign Joe Aribo from Rangers. #RangersFC won’t accept total package below £10m release clause. Versatile 25yo keen to join #SaintsFC & contract of at least 4ys being prepared. With @JordanC1107 @J_Tanswell @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/r8gg5nvseb
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 5, 2022
Rangers Star Could Be on His Way to the Premier League
The Rangers Star Would Be a Good Fit at St Mary’s
It wasn’t all that long ago that Rangers star Joe Aribo was plying his trade on English shores. The midfielder was previously at Charlton Athletic and played a key role in them earning promotion into the Championship. Since his departure, the club are now back in League One and he has clearly improved massively with Southampton sniffing around.
James Ward-Prowse is the key figure at the heart of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s midfield but beyond, reinforcements may be needed. Spaniard Oriol Romeu is 30 now whilst Stuart Armstrong tends to operate further forward. The latter came from the Scottish Premiership himself and has slowly but steadily grown into an important figure in the Southampton dressing home.
Enter Rangers star Joe Aribo who has played particularly well for both club and country, Nigeria. There is said to be a £10 million release clause hanging over his head at Ibrox and the Scottish side won’t let him go for any less.
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After Lavia, Southampton are also set to sign Joe Aribo. Been told deal is almost done for £6m plus add-ons to Rangers. No problem on player side, as was reported by @David_Ornstein. Incoming director Joe Shields, key for the move. ⚪️🔴 #SaintsFC
Romeo Lavia joins on £12m fee. pic.twitter.com/I33SWoOvSI
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 6, 2022
How Aribo Has Fared in Scotland
As previously mentioned, Aribo runs out for the Super Eagles along with being a Rangers star and the Camberwell-born Londoner has amassed 20 appearances for the national team. In terms of the success of the Scottish team, to which he has contributed, they of course reached the Europa League final last year. It was a European journey against the odds that ended in tears when Eintracht Frankfurt beat them via a penalty shootout at the final hurdle.
On a more positive note, Aribo and the ‘Gers stopped Celtic’s infamous run of title wins the season before last. Nine was on the verge of becoming ten but Steven Gerrard led his side to disrupt such unheralded success. Whether it be under the Liverpool legend or with the Dutchman Giovanni van Bronckhorst at the helm, Aribo has always had his part to play.
The Rangers star joining Southampton would certainly be a good move for the Premier League outfit and Aribo himself. Hasenhuttl has been in place for a while now and so the Nigerian could help them continue in this process.
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