Joe Aribo started the 2023/24 season on the fringes of the first team at Southampton, but flourished as the season progressed and by the end was a vital part of the Saints midfield, this it seems has not gone unnoticed by Besiktas.
Joe Aribo was mainly used off the bench during the first part of the season but as the season progressed he became an important member of the side, stepping into the breach as and when needed, he would start just 16 times in the regular season plus another 16 off the bench, with Stuart Armstrong injured towards the end of the season, he was a starter in most of the games in the run in to the final game of the regular season and in all three of the play off games.
Now it seems that his talents have been noticed elsewhere, his previous club Rangers have been linked, but reports from Turkey are suggesting that one of the big clubs in the Super Lig Besiktas, are ready to make a bid for his services.
soccernetnigeria say:
"Turkish giants Besiktas have started negotiations to lure Super Eagles attacker Joe Aribo to Tupras Stadium following his impressive 2023-24 stint with Southampton"
"Reports from Turkish-based journalist Gurkan Borangil reveal that the new Besiktas manager, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, is keen on making the Nigerian international one of his first signings for the club."
"New reports indicate that the Turkish giants are currently in negotiations with the St Mary’s outfit to sign the Nigerian player."
The Dutchman is of course familiar with Aribo, from the first season he managed Rangers in 2021/22, just prior to Aribo leaving for Southampton in the summer of 2022.
But how much of this has any substance and how much is just linking the two up due to the Rangers connection is debateable.
Certainly despite his decent season at St Mary's in the Championship, there are questions about Aribo's ability to perform in the Premier League, he started off well in his first season, but his form declined and after the arrival of Nathan Jones, after featuring in the new managers first 3 games, he would play just 3 more times in the final 15 games of the season.
But in truth Aribo was not the only one in that squad who was not in the best of form, so there is still big hopes that he can kick start his Premier League career again and be a vital member of the squad next season.
Saints signed him for around £6 million, so he has been good value for money considering his contribution in the season just gone, that has meant his value has not deteriorated from the fee that we paid and still just 27, he has mileage in him yet, but with two years left on his contract, it could be that the club feel that getting him off the books could clear the way for new signings.