Joe Aribo pushes for Southampton exit

Nigerian international midfielder Joe Aribo is reportedly expressed his desire for a move away from Sky Bet Championship club Southampton.

Aribo is reportedly ready to leave the St Mary’s Stadium following the club’s relegation from the Premier League last season and is unwilling to endure another season in England’s second tier.

The 29-year-old potential departure was underlined when he was left out of the Saints’ opening Championship fixture against Wrexham on Saturday.

Aribo has been linked with La Liga outfit Villarreal, Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, and even Premier League club Aston Villa. Turkish clubs Trabzonspor and Goztepe have also been mentioned as potential suitors, though a move to Turkey seems less likely at this stage.

The Nigerian international, joined Southampton three years ago from Scottish Premiership giants Rangers, has attracted attention from several top clubs across Europe.

Aribo’s time at St. Mary’s has been a mixed bag since his arrival. While he played a key role in the club’s promotion back to the Premier League in the 2024/25 season, making 32 appearances and scoring three goals, his overall impact has not been as consistent as his time at Rangers, where he became a fan favorite and a Europa League finalist.