For an estimated £10 million, Joe Aribo transferred to Southampton during the summer 2022 transfer window
Former West Ham United striker, John Hartson, claimed that Joe Aribo returning to Glasgow Rangers would be an excellent summer deal for the Scottish team.
The Super Eagles forward has lost favour with the Southampton squad after Ralph Hasenhuttl, who first enticed him to St. Mary's Stadium during the 2022 summer transfer window, was replaced by Nathan Jones and now Ruben Selles.
According to Hartson, Aribo, who struggled to get playing time with the Saints, would be fit to return to Glasgow's Govan neighbourhood as the Hampshire-based team gears up for a new campaign in the second tier of the league after a guaranteed relegation from the English Premier League.
he Nigerian, whose future at Southampton is apparently claimed to be uncertain as the team risks relegation, will not arrive for the same amount of £10 million and will instead be something less expensive, according to Hartson's comments on Go Radio.
“The fee would have to come down. It won't be £10 million. It would have to be at least a third of that,” he said, as quoted by Football Scotland.
After joining the Scottish giants from Charlton Athletic in 2019, Aribo scored 26 goals in 149 games. The former Arsenal player stated that he would welcome Aribo back if he were the club's manager.
“I'd take him back in a heartbeat if the opportunity were there, but how would it work financially?
“Southampton will want some of the fees back if he's out of the picture. Meanwhile, Michael Beale wants to build his own team. And if they sign Malik Tillman?
“If he [Aribo] became available, I'd take him. He knows the club and did well, so why not. But it will depend on wages and fees.” he said.
Since joining Southampton, the 26-year-old has only started 12 of his 20 games in the domestic league. His lack of playing time makes a transfer out of Southampton more likely.
