Rangers star Joe Aribo could leave Ibrox with Southampton opening talks to sign the midfielder in a deal that could cost £10million.
The Gers don’t want to lose key players this summer especially having raked in a big fee for Nathan Patterson in January.
Yet with the likes of Calvin Bassey, Glen Kamara, Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos being linked away, Rangers could yet be in for a few departures.
Sadly for the Gers and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, it looks like one player could be nearing a move away with Southampton targeting Aribo.
Rangers star Joe Aribo could leave Ibrox with Southampton opening talks
Reports from the Daily Record earlier this week suggested that Southampton were leading the race for Aribo’s signature.
That seems to have moved forward very quickly with The Athletic now claiming that Southampton are in talks to land Aribo.
Aribo is understood to be keen on joining Southampton and a deal is now in the works.
There is a £10million release clause in Aribo’s contract and Rangers don’t intend to sell the Nigeria international for any less.
However, Aribo is out of contract in 2023 and Southampton will be trying to negotiate down, knowing that Rangers risk losing Aribo for nothing next summer.
The 25-year-old notched nine goals and 10 assists last season and scored in the Europa League final for Rangers.
Aribo has spent three successful years with Rangers but a move back to England could appeal to the former Charlton Athletic talent.
Other clubs are interested but it’s Southampton who are now making their move for Aribo, who cost Rangers a bargain £300,000 in compensation in 2019.
Van Bronckhorst won’t want to lose Aribo but anything close to that £10million clause could be huge for Rangers when it comes to bringing in new signings, and the reality of bringing in talented youngsters is that the goal is to make a big profit – and Aribo would certainly do that with this move.
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