Only one runner in the cut price ‘race for Aribo’

The ‘race for Joe Aribo’ only has one horse in it. 

Despite the brilliance of the former Charlton starlet being available for £6m there is no sign of Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace or Aston Villa joining the alleged race. 

Had there been a sniff of any other interest both the club and Aribo’s agent would be on the job but as The Athletic reports there is only one option out there: 

Southampton and Rangers have agreed a fee for Joe Aribo, The Athletic understands. 

Premier League club Southampton are set to pay an initial £6 million for the midfielder, with add-ons meaning the transfer could ultimately be worth in excess of £10 million once Rangers’ sell-on clause is factored in. 

Aribo’s contract has always included a £10 million release clause and it is understood that Rangers were determined not to accept a total package below that value. 

The proposed transfer is subject to Aribo, 25, completing a medical. Aribo has agreed terms with Southampton but is yet to sign a contract with the club. 

It is anticipated the transfer will take a number of days to be made official. If all goes to plan and the documentation is finalised, Aribo’s medical is planned for later in the week or over the weekend. 

The former Charlton Athletic player was scheduled to meet up with the rest of the Rangers squad in Portugal on Thursday but he is currently in London. 

Ross Wilson, the Ibrox transfer guru clearly doesn’t have the contacts and negotiating skills that has been portrayed. 

With Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent in the same situation further low-ball bids are likely with very little seeing its way through to Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s transfer war-chest.