Southampton interim manager Tonda Eckert has signaled a potential departure for Nigerian midfielder Joe Aribo as the January transfer window enters its final fortnight. Reports strongly link the 29-year-old with a return to his former club, Rangers, following a significant decline in his playing time at St Mary’s.
Although Aribo played a prominent role in the Premier League last season with 32 appearances, he has struggled to secure a starting spot in the Championship under the current technical staff.
The London-born playmaker has only featured seven times in the league this term, consistently starting matches on the bench. With Aribo’s contract reaching its conclusion this summer, Southampton reportedly values the midfielder at approximately £1.5 million to facilitate a permanent exit. This low valuation attracts the interest of Rangers officials, who seek to bolster their squad with a new midfielder and a forward before the deadline.
Aribo maintains a legendary status at Ibrox after his successful three-year stint between 2019 and 2022. He famously scored in the 2022 Europa League final, contributing 18 goals and 11 assists throughout his tenure in Glasgow. Tonda Eckert addressed the ongoing speculation and Aribo’s recent omissions from the matchday squad during a press conference before the Saints’ encounter with Sheffield United.
Tonda Eckert clarified the club’s stance on the current roster size: “In general, I was very happy with the players we had available for matchdays, and that’s where the situation is at the moment. The transfer window is open for another two weeks. Then we’ll see what happens and, in general, I think the squad needs to become a bit lighter.”
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