Rangers legend Barry Ferguson is not surprised by Southampton’s interest in Joe Aribo, telling Go Radio that the Premier League target has ‘grown into a top midfielder’ at Ibrox.
Of all the players entering the final 12 months of their contract at last season’s Scottish Premiership runners-up – including Ryan Kent, Ryan Jack, Filip Helander and Alfredo Morelos – Aribo appears to be the most likely departure ahead of this July’s league opener against Livingston.
Southampton have an excellent track record it comes to signing players from north of the border. And the £10 million-rated Aribo could follow in the footsteps of Victor Wanyama, Virgil van Dijk and Stuart Armstrong, The Mail claiming that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are hoping to fight off competition from Nottingham Forest and Fulham.
The Daily Record, meanwhile, say that Southampton are currently in pole position. And £10 million for a player Aribo’s quality and potential feels like the very definition of a no-brainer.
Southampton want Rangers’ Joe Aribo
“I can see why they are interested in him,” the former Rangers skipper Ferguson says when quizzed about Southampton’s interest.
“He’s grown into a top midfielder with some of his performances. He’s a top-level player. And there’s been a number of clubs linked.
“That will be a worry for the Rangers fans but money talks. If that valuation is met and he doesn’t want to commit to Rangers, they might need to do business.
“I would like to think they are trying to get him on a longer term contract.”
Strong yet skilful, tenacious yet technical, Aribo produced nine goals and ten assists under Giovanni van Bronckhorst last term. The former Charlton Athletic youngster even opened the scoring in May’s Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt.
A number eight of his guile and finesse will be well received at a Southampton side in transition. Especially when you consider that James Ward-Prowse is the only Saints midfielder who scored more than two Premier League goals in 2021/22. Mattias Svanberg is another name in the papers, though The Athletic play down those links.
‘He has everything’
“Joe is now at a good age. He has everything a Premier League club would want,” adds former Ibrox hitman Kenny Miller.
“With a year left on his contract, teams won’t be stupid with potential bids. Rangers will have a valuation of what he’s worth and it’s about whether they can find that common ground with a buyer.”
Southampton are open to offers for Theo Walcott, Moussa Djenepo and Nathan Redmond this summer. Armel Bella-Kotchap, Gavin Bazunu and Mateusz Lis have already arrived, with Romeo Lavia on his way too.
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