Aribo dropped from Southampton's season opener as a move to Saudi Arabia draws closer

SUPER Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo was omitted from Southampton's opening game of the season in what is seen as a sure sign that he is likely to be sold to a club in the Saudi Pro League over the coming weeks.

Aribo, 28, has spent the last three seasons at Southampton on the British south coast but with the club being relegated to the second tier of English football at the end of last season, he is poised to leave. Several clubs led by Leipzig in Germany's Die Bundesliga and Glasgow rangers of Scotland were said to be interested in securing his services but it appears that a Saudi club in now the favourite to sign him.

Last season, Aribo made 35 appearances for Southampton in all competitions but was unable to help the club avoid relegation to the Championship. According to Per Africa Foot, sources close to the player reveal Leipzig intended securing Aribo's services this summer but now the player is prioritising a move to the Saudi Pro League.

There is stil speculation linking the midfielder with clubs in the German Bundesliga, Turkey and Spain's La Liga and Southampton are apparently willing to sanction his departure if their valuation is met. Aribo, who has entered the final year of his contract with Southampton, has informed the club’s hierarchy of his desire to seek a new challenge before the transfer window closes.

Amid uncertainty over his future, Aribo was omitted from Southampton’s season opener against Wrexham and featured sparingly in pre-season, a sign he does not figure prominently in manager Will Still's plans. Aribo was not involved in friendlies against Brighton & Hove Albion and Eastleigh, was an unused substitute against Espanyol, only played the second half against Castellón and came off the bench against Gillingham.

While Villarreal, Beşiktaş and Leipzig have been mooted as possible destinations, the Super Eagles star is confirmed to be targeting one final lucrative move before the twilight of his career, with Saudi Arabia his preferred option. Since joining Southampton from Rangers in the summer of 2022, Aribo has registered nine goals and one assist in 104 appearances across all competitions.