Southampton FC

Southampton FC

Championship

Southampton nearing double coup with Rangers fee for Joe Aribo set, Man City announcement due

Rangers attacker Joe Aribo

Southampton are poised to bring their tally of summer arrivals to five with a Man City signing imminent and a fee set for Rangers attacker, Joe Aribo, per a report.

The Saints have already landed goalkeeping pair Gavin Bazunu and Mateusz Lis this summer. In defence, rising Germany Under-21 international, Armel Bella-Kotchap, has joined the ranks.

However, according to the Guardian, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are far from finished.

Firstly, they state a £12m deal to sign Man City midfielder, Romeo Lavia, is on the cusp.

The 18-year-old has featured twice for Pep Guardiola’s side in the domestic cups. His primary position is holding midfield and he’s already been capped at Belgium Under-21 level.

Lavia passed a medical on Tuesday and Man City have reportedly inserted a buy-back clause to the tune of around £40m. An announcement is expected imminently.

Lavia could quickly be joined at Southampton by Rangers’ Joe Aribo.

The 25-year-old attacker has not travelled with the rest of the Rangers squad to Portugal. Instead, Fabrizio Romano reported he was in London on Tuesday night and his next stop will be the south coast.

Joe Aribo fee less than first thought

Aribo holds a £10m release clause in his contract and the Scottish side were reportedly adamant they’d receive full value.

However, the Guardian claim the deal will be worth £6m and could potentially rise pending add-ons.

The total package may yet recoup Rangers the full £10m, though they’ll be reliant on bonus targets being met.

Sky Sports report Rangers will waste little time re-investing the money into Antonio Colak.

The PAOK striker, 28, is reportedly en route to the UK to undergo a medical. The three-times capped Croatia international will arrive on a three-year deal for £1.8m.

Southampton strategy clear

The Saints are known for signing promising players they mould and shape before ultimately selling for big profit.

That again looks to be the aim this summer if the ages of their signings and targets are anything to go by.

Bazunu and Bella-Kotchap are both 20. Aribo and Lis are 25, while Lavia is the youngest of the quintet at just 18.