Bassey, two others may follow Aribo out of Rangers
The Gers and Saints are in advanced negotiations over a deal for Aribo to go to the Premier League side.
After the exit of Super Eagles playmaker, Joe Aribo from Rangers, a respected Scot columnist Garry Ferguson has warned to be prepared for four further first-team stars.
Aribo is set to sign for Southampton.
The Gers and Saints are in advanced negotiations over a deal for Aribo to go to the Premier League side. Sky Sports report Southampton are prepared to trigger a £10m release clause in the 25-year-old’s contract in Glasgow, with the fee inclusive of potential future add-ons.
Aribo is also open to moving from Ibrox to St Mary’s after three years with the Premiership side he joined from Charlton Athletic for just £300k. His exit will bank Rangers a significant profit, with Fabrizio Romano claiming Southampton will pay £6m as an upfront instalment.
Rangers are reluctantly letting Aribo leave Ibrox this summer as the Nigerian is in the final year of his contract. His departure will leave a big void in boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s plans, having played in 57 games in all competitions last term for nine goals and 10 assists.
Ferguson doubts Southampton signing Aribo will mark the end of the exodus of top players at Rangers this summer, however. Instead, the Gers legend suspects up to four key stars to be subject to doubt, chiefly Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent with their contracts up in 2023.
“Morelos and Kent are the obvious worries,” Ferguson wrote. “But there are others like Calvin Bassey and Glen Kamara, who have been attracting interest from down south.
“So, Rangers might have some big decisions to make, and it’s important they have a list of potential replacements just in case Aribo’s move is only the start of the big bids landing.”
Morelos was Rangers’ top-scorer across all competitions last season with 19 goals from 42 appearances. Kent, meanwhile, proved to be the Gers’ best playmaker with 20 assists from 46 games. Bassey also proved his worth in their defence, while Kamara continued to shine.
Rangers are not opposed to selling Morelos this year with Sevilla interested given the 2023 free agent is unlikely to sign a new contract, per 90min. While Estadio Deportivo report the Colombian ‘would be delighted’ to move to the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan if allowed.
