Southampton have been instructed instructed it would value them £10million to prise Joe Aribo away from Rangers this summer time.
Report Sport revealed again in December that St Mary’s boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has been conserving tabs on the Ibrox talisman, and now the Saints boss is making ready to make his transfer - with Aribo understood to be eager on a transfer to the Premier League outfit.
The 25-year-old Nigeria worldwide is one in all three key members of Gio van Bronckhorst ’s group with simply 12 months remaining on their contracts., however Aribo - a £300,000 cut price purchase from Charlton - has already spelled out to the Mild Blues’ board he's unlikely to pen new phrases. Gers agreed to insert a £10million buy-out clause in his contract when the Londoner moved north to hitch Steven Gerrard’s squad in 2018, and they're insisting it would take an eight-figure whole bundle for them to think about letting Aribo depart this summer time.
Whereas the remainder of his Gers team-mates have flown out to Portugal for a pre-season coaching camp, Aribo has remained behind within the UK as talks collect tempo.
Southampton have leapt forward of a queue of suitors that additionally consists of Fulham and Crystal Palace and are assured their provide of a four-year deal will win over a participant who gave Rangers 12 minutes of ecstasy simply two months in the past when he fired them briefly forward of their Europa League last conflict with Eintracht Frankfurt, earlier than the Germans struck again earlier than claiming the trophy on penalties.
Aribo performed a key position for Gerrard’s group as they marched to an undefeated league title final 12 months.
He was in participant of the 12 months rivalry this season earlier than his performances tailed off within the wake of his appearances on the African Cup of Nations.
Even so, he continued to be a significant determine for Gerrard’s substitute van Bronckhorst, even that includes in a makeshift position as a striker because the Dutchman’s group launched into a outstanding run to Seville.
The departure of a participant who has scored 26 objectives in 149 appearances could be a major blow only a month earlier than the beginning of the brand new marketing campaign and the membership’s Champions League qualifiers.
READ NEXT