Southampton weigh a Cut-Price Aribo Sale as the midfielder nears a January exit following limited minutes and interest from Turkey
Southampton manager Tonda Eckert and director of football Jason Wilcox have opened the door to a Cut-Price Aribo Sale in January, with the club prepared to offload Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo for as little as £1.5 million as his time at St Mary’s draws to a close.
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Joe Aribo has experienced a difficult five months, slipping out of favour under both Will Still and Tonda Eckert.
The 29-year-old has made only six appearances this season, totalling 114 minutes without a start, and has failed to feature for more than half an hour in any match.
Aribo had been expected to move on following Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League, with one year left on his contract at the time.
Despite interest from several clubs, he remained at St Mary’s, but his role has diminished sharply this campaign.
With his contract set to expire in the summer, Southampton are willing to accept a reduced fee.
Analysts value Aribo at around €4 million, yet the club now expects offers in the region of £1–1.5 million.
Turkish sides Trabzonspor and Göztepe have shown early interest, according to sources monitoring the situation.
Fans were reminded of the midfielder’s potential when the All Saints analysis group highlighted his past influence on X, adding momentum to speculation around his departure.
The club’s readiness to sell reflects a broader restructuring effort, with Sam Edozie also linked with a £6 million move and goalkeeper Alex McCarthy considering his future should a replacement arrive.
Midfielder Kuryu Matsuki is meanwhile expected to leave on loan after making just one brief appearance this season.
Aribo, who joined Southampton in 2022, now faces a decisive winter window as he seeks regular football and a chance to revive his career away from the south coast.
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His next move is likely to determine the trajectory of a career that once promised far greater impact.
Peculiar Adirika is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
