Southampton prioritise new striker as they close in on £10m Joe...

Although the team acknowledges that they need to bolster their midfield with a more specialised addition, Aribo will

offer a goal threat.

After agreeing to sign Romeo Lavia from Manchester City, Southampton is now focussing on finding a new striker

and finalising talks for Joe Aribo, a midfielder for Rangers.

Southampton has already been active this summer, bringing in goalkeepers Gavin Bazunu and Mateusz Lis, defender

Armel Bella-Kotchap, and strengthening their midfield in their first transfer window under a new ownership and

recruitment system.

The Lavia deal could rise to as much as £15 million, with Southampton continuing the policy that saw them sign Tino

Livramento last year by pinpointing emerging talent from the academies of leading clubs where first-team

Opportunity may be limited.

As with Livramento and Chelsea, the purchase will include a buy-back option for City, and Lavia is only eighteen.

Despite competition from Oriol Romeu, James Ward-Prowse, and Ibrahima Diallo in the heart of the park, the

holding midfielder has been assured that there will be opportunities under manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.

“My time with Manchester City is over,” Lavia wrote on social media. “Making my debut for this enormous club was

an honour, and I’ve grown into an even better player and person.”

The 25-year-old Aribo has a £10 million release clause at Rangers, and the two teams are still negotiating his arrival.

With 19 goals and 19 assists from his 57 appearances, he was a significant midfield goal threat for Rangers last

season, playing in almost every game. Aribo is typically an attacking midfielder or centre player, but he can also play

striker.

However, Southampton was fully aware that they needed to bolster their team with a more specialised recruit in that

field. The club struggled to replace Danny Ings on an individual basis last season, with Adam Armstrong, Che

Adams, Nathan Redmond, Theo Walcott, and Shane Long scoring just 18 goals between them. Shane Long left after

his contract ended.

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