Premier League outfit Southampton have just announced a new £100m takeover amid high-profile links to Rangers star Joe Aribo.
The Saints have just been bought over by Serbian businessman Dragan Solak, who owns cable-TV operator United Group, with his Sport Republic group buying an 80% stake in the club from Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng.
Commenting on the takeover, Solak claims he wants to use his expertise in the entertainment industry to “deliver something unique” with the English side extensively linked to Rangers’ Joe Aribo this winter.
“My partners and I have experience in long-term investments in the sports and entertainment industry and Sport Republic has been founded to combine this expertise and deliver something unique to the market,” said Solak [Southampton].
“Southampton has so many of the qualities we have been looking for in a major sports organisation. It has a great management team, excellent talent development, talented teams playing attractive football and a dedicated fan base.
“We are delighted to be able to complete this acquisition as a first step towards execution of our investment strategy. Southampton will be a cornerstone of the organisation we plan to build.”
Southampton reportedly had the queue for Rangers star Joe Aribo amid takover
Rangers fans will be watching the situation closely with takeovers long associated with fresh investment and the St Mary’s side reportedly heading the queue for Joe Aribo.
According to a report in the Scottish Daily Express, Southampton are set to test Rangers’ resolve with a “significant bid” for Aribo in this transfer window.
Describing Saints as the “prime candidates” to sign the Nigerian international – amid interest from the likes of Brentford, Watford and Crystal Palace – Rangers star Joe Aribo is a man in demand this January.
It remains unclear if the takeover will inspire Ralph Hassenhuttl and Southampton to pounce for Rangers’ talismanic midfielder Joe Aribo but it’s certainly worth keeping an eye on in the weeks to come.
Rangers have already sold big in this window and – hilariously – it hasn’t gone down too well amongst rival fans.
