Nigerian international Joe Aribo is expected to leave Championship side Southampton before the January transfer deadline on Monday, February 2.
Southampton remain active in the transfer market, particularly in attack, as head coach Tonda Eckert looks to trim his squad and provide more opportunities for players struggling for regular playing time.
Aribo is among several players made available for transfer, alongside Sam Edozie. The Saints had attempted to offload both during the summer transfer window, but moves could not be finalized at the time.
Eckert confirmed that discussions are ongoing, stressing that any transfer must benefit both the player and the club. “Modern transfers often involve multiple parties and can be complex,” he said. Talks that stalled previously are now progressing positively, the coach added.
Aribo has featured just seven times in the Championship this season, with limited opportunities at St Mary’s Stadium. He was also left out of Nigeria’s squad for AFCON 2025 in Morocco, although he played a key role in the Super Eagles’ 2023 AFCON campaign, where Nigeria reached the final.
With negotiations reportedly moving in the right direction, a January exit now appears increasingly likely for the Nigerian midfielder.
