Turkish Super Lig club are plotting a move for Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo during the summer transfer window, Soccernet.ng reports.
Aribo has established himself as an important player for Southampton over the past two seasons. He left Rangers for St. Mary’s three seasons ago, but he struggled to get minutes as the club dropped down to the Championship.
However, he grew into the team last season and became a starter. The Super Eagles star featured in 40 games for the Saints in all competitions. And this season, he has featured in 35 of Southampton’s games. Aribo has even had to play out of position at times.
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Unfortunately for him, his performances have not been enough for the Saints, as they are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, condemned to Championship football next season.
With Southampton confirmed as a Championship side next season, some players are expected to leave the club in the summer, and Aribo could be one of them.
According to Transfer feed, Turkish Super Lig club Goztepe are keeping tabs on Aribo ahead of a potential transfer in the summer. The Super Eagles star still has one year left on his contract, and he is valued at €6 million, which is a price that Goztepe should be able to afford.
Should Joe Aribo consider a move to Goztepe?
Although Göztepe might be able to afford Joe Aribo’s price and his salary, the club might be a bit too small for him. The club currently sits eighth on the Super Lig table. In fact, this is their first season in the Turkish top-flight after two years in the second tier.
So, they are not stable enough and can even still drop to the second league next season. If Aribo moves to Turkey, he is expected look at a club that is more settled or a mid-table club.
Nonetheless, in the coming weeks, Aribo should get more suitors. Then he will have to decide whether to help Southampton plot their return to the Premier League or to leave.
