Southampton have splashed the cash to bring Man City teenager Romeo Lavia to the club as they strike a bargain for Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo.
The Premier League Saints could wind up spending up to £14m to take the untested 18-year-old Belgian to the club [BBC Sport].
According to that report, Southampton will pay City £10.5m up front for a player who has never played a top team league game.
Romeo Lavia did however play in two cup matches for Man City, with the youngster so highly-rated that the deal includes a buy-back option.
But the fact Southampton have shelled out so heavily for a player who is yet to have a proper taste of men’s football speaks volumes about the discrepancy in finances between north of the border and south.
The move will form part of a £24m double-deal with the Saints also set to secure Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo.
Now in the final year of his contract, Southampton have managed to negotiate a structured £10m+ package for the Rangers midfielder.
Rangers will reportedly receive £6m up front, with around £4m in achievable add-ons and a “significant” sell on clause included in the deal.
It means the Athletic believe the move will be worth in excess of £10m to Rangers by the time all is said and done.
If this is to be the case then it’s smart business by Rangers given that the player apparently has a £10m release clause in his contract, something perhaps necessary in order to convince Joe to sign from Charlton in 2019.
But given the immense riches on show down south, there can be no denying that the deal for Romeo Lavia proves that Southampton’s move for Joe Aribo is an outrageous bargain.
Romeo Lavia deal proves Saints striking Rangers Joe Aribo bargain
As it stands, the Saints are set to pay more for a player who has no league games at all than someone who played more games than anyone else in world football last season.
Joe Aribo’s 70 game haul for club and country is a monumental feat of athleticism and highlights the player’s robustness and conditioning.
Arguably the most technically gifted player in the SPFL, the silky first touch and ability to hold the ball up also makes Joe a unique and versatile player in any side’s arsenal, capable of both facing players up and taking them on or holding up play.
Not only this, but this is a player who played in all but two outfield positions for Rangers during his time at the club, Joe Aribo’s understanding of the game exemplified by his versatility across multiple positions.
And he’s good for a goal too.
That’s before you mention the fact he’s a 20-times capped Nigerian international regularly lauded as the country’s top player by the dedicated Super Eagles support.
Joe’s performances in Europe have also stolen the show at times, with that stunning solo goal against Braga backed up with Rangers’ only goal in the devastating Europa League Final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt.
It might be the right time to move Joe Aribo on for all parties but if Southampton’s move for Romeo Lavia proves anything, it’s that Rangers have handed the Premier League side a bargain by selling them their number 17 at this price.
And it’s one several Premier League clubs might regret not taking the Gers up on sooner in the seasons ahead.
Meanwhile, one of Joe Aribo’s countrymen has been talking about links to Rangers.
