Southampton turn down Verona's offer for Aribo saying it does not match their valuation

ENGLISH Championship side Southampton have rejected a recent offer from Italian Serie A club Hellas Verona for the services of Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo saying the bid did not match their evaluation of the player.

Aribo,27, is one of the players Southampton are looking to cash in on following their relegation to the Championship at the end of last season. As a result of the relegation, Roméo Lavia, Tino Livramento, James Ward-Prowse, Mohammed Salisu and Mislav Orsic have all been moved on and there is a chance that the Nigerian trio of Aribo, Paul Onuachu and Nathan Tella could join them before next Friday's transfer deadline.

Verona made a loan offer with an option to buy Aribo at the end of the 2023/24 season but Southampton turned down the offer. It is believed, however, that the Italian side have not yet given up on their pursuit of Aribo and will make another offer for the midfielder before the transfer window closes.

Two unnamed French Ligue One clubs are also said to be monitoring the situation of Aribo with a view to a potential swoop for the versatile midfielder, who is also capable of playing as a winger, box-to-box midfielder and support striker. Aribo arrived at Southampton for a fee of £6m and including performance-related add-ons, the total amount he is worth could add up to £10m.

Last season appeared in 30 official matches for Southampton, scoring two goals. It is not yet clear how much the Saints want for him yet but he is a player who they will want off their bills as the club seeks to reduce its wage bill now that it is no longer in the Premier League.