Joe Aribo: Rangers midfielder set for Southampton move
Joe Aribo is entering the final year of his current deal at Rangers; he scored nine goals in 57 appearances last season; the midfielder has a £10m release clause; Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst: "He has the ambition to play in the Premier League."
Thursday 7 July 2022 16:48, UK
Southampton are in advanced talks to sign Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo.
A deal is close to being agreed and the fee is believed to be worth £10m including add-ons.
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It is understood the 25-year-old, who has a £10m release clause in his contract, is open to the move to St Mary's.
The Nigerian international has one year left on his deal at Ibrox, having moved to Glasgow in the summer of 2019 from Charlton Athletic.
He scored nine goals, including one in the Europa League final, in 57 games last season and added 10 assists.
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The Ibrox side have so far only added defender John Souttar to the squad this summer, while striker Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent are also in the final years of their current Ibrox deals.
Goalkeeper Allan McGregor, 40, has signed on for another season with veteran midfielders Scott Arfield and Steven Davis also extending their contracts.
Connor Goldson also ended speculation about his future by agreeing a new four-year deal.
Van Bronckhorst: Aribo's ambition to play in the Premier League
Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst hinted at Aribo's exit in an interview with Sky Sports News, saying the midfielder's ambition is to play in the Premier League.
"Joe is a very important player for us," Van Bronckhorst said. "He's been really good for this club for the last years.
"His development was really good and at the moment he has the ambition to play in the Premier League.
"That is his ambition and that is probably what is going to happen in the near future, but it is what you want as a club. To get talented players into the club, develop them into really good players. The player has their own ambitions but what he has done for this club has been fantastic."
He added: "I talked with Joe about his future last season, but he's been playing for three years for Rangers and it is also the natural way in a player's career.
"Of course, Joe also wants to develop himself even further and see where his level is, and of course, playing in the Premier League there won't be any stronger leagues than that in the world."
What does Aribo bring?
Sky Sports' Alison Conroy
Joe Aribo impressed for Rangers last season and it was no surprise he was one of the most used players in the squad.
His versatility was a benefit to Giovanni van Bronckhorst as the manager dealt with a number of injuries.
Aribo played in central midfield, attacking midfield, down the right and ended the season playing up front.
Boyd: Rangers will lose players this summer
Sky Sports' Kris Boyd accepts Rangers will lose some of their top players this summer.
"The reality is Rangers have got a number of players going out of contract next season and it's very unlikely they will be able to keep every single one.
"The reality is Rangers might have to do a few sales this summer so players don't leave for nothing next season.
"I don't think Rangers are in a position where they're just going to roll over and let people take their players.
"There is obviously finances behind the club that Rangers can negotiate with teams now and it's not a case where teams are just going to phone up and say there's the offer and we're taking your player."
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