According to former Rangers chairman John Bennett, the Ibrox team’s infamous player trade strategy was a “myth.”
Theoretically, Rangers should be a team that produces elite young players, buys cheap, and sells high.
However, in reality, giving English Championship-level players exorbitant contracts has cost the team a lot in recent years, and this summer, things are finally changing.
At Rangers, the tales of Jefte, Clinton Nsiala, and Hamza Igamane remain unwritten.
However, a current Gers star may be joining forces with a former Ibrox legend who defied the norm in Joe Aribo in Turkey.
Joe Aribo is expected to depart from Southampton.
Joe Aribo will be remembered in Rangers history and could have been considered a true club legend if he hadn’t lost focus on defence.
Joe Aribo gave Rangers the lead in the Europa League Final for 12 minutes in Spain, leaving the team hoping for their biggest victory ever.
Naturally, Rangers’ hearts were broken by Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties in Seville, so it was not to be.
However, a Rangers player trade strategy that was mainly limited to Ross Wilson’s soundbites is one of the few success stories of the Nigerian international.
To Lee Bowyer’s dismay, Aribo was signed by Charlton in the summer of 2019 for a low-cost cross-border fee. He had several incredible moments while wearing a Rangers jersey.
However, the midfield player appears to be on the move once more after leaving Ibrox three years ago.
Will Joe Aribo join a Rangers star in Turkey?
Rangers have a number of add-ons that might potentially bring the Aribo transaction closer to £10 million. They also banked the club an initial £6 million from a transfer to Southampton three years later.
The exact amount of money the club has made from those add-ons is yet unknown.
Now that Joe Aribo appears to be leaving Premier League Southampton at the end of the season, a Daily Mail story has put an end to any notion that Rangers could make a comeback for the midfield player.
Rather, “long-term admirers” Besiktas are reportedly in the lead, with the Saints aiming to recover the £6 million they originally spent on the now 28-year-old midfield player.
Rangers midfielder Tom Lawrence has also been highly connected to the Black Eagles of Istanbul, so it’s possible that Aribo will team up with one of the players that was signed to replace him.
