Three options to replace Joe Aribo at Southampton as the midfielder looks set to depart St. Mary’s

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Southampton’s Joe Aribo looks set to be out the door this summer transfer window, with Rangers rumoured to be the favourites to sign the Nigerian.

Aribo has reportedly told the Saints that he wants to leave the club.

The Nigerian footballer has been heavily linked to Rangers for a number of reasons, including his history at the club and the fact Russell Martin has been appointed manager of the Scottish giant.

The 28-year-old had been a crucial player for the Saints since his arrival in 2022, playing 104 matches in the red and white of Southampton.

Aribo was an important central midfielder for the club, but now they need to find a box-to-box athlete who can operate from a number of positions across midfield and who is a playmaker that can help drive Southampton back to the Premier League.

EFL Analysis brings you three players that could fill the future gap left by Joe Aribo.

• READ MORE: Three Southampton stars who could follow Russell Martin to Rangers after becoming their new manager

Armin Gigović

Gigović is a central midfielder currently playing his football at Holstein Kiel in the Bundesliga 2 this season after the German club were relegated last season.

The Bosnian international may be interested in a move to a side that looks like one of the favourites to gain promotion to the richest league in Europe.

Southampton would look at the 23-year-old as a good signing due to him possessing the box-to-box quality that Aribo has in his skill set, with the ability to score a goal while also being a creative presence too.

While he is an exciting prospect that Holstein Kiel will not want to lose, due to the relegation from the Bundesliga, there may be an opportunity to get him for a reduced price.

Manu Morlanes

The Spanish midfielder has impressed in La Liga for the past number of seasons for Mallorca, helping the club to a 10th place finish last season.

Morlanes is a slightly different player from Aribo, with the player more likely to bring control to the side in possession as he looks to dictate play, with this perhaps being the player Southampton needs to dictate things in the Championship.

He is also a player who is important in defence, so he could provide defensive stability in the midfield, protecting the backline, something Southampton needs after they were so vulnerable last season.

He would also be a relatively cheap option for Southampton to sign too, despite being in a contract until June 2028.

Lucien Agoumé

Agoumé would be tempted to join Southampton this summer despite only signing for Sevilla last season, this being due to the perilous situation the Spanish club finds itself in financially.

The underage French international played 35 matches last season as he helped secure the La Liga status of the club.

Agoumé is a player who is very able to break up the play and destroy opposition attacks, but he is also very adept at being a box-to-box player due to his ability to drive with the ball and his athleticism.

Due to the problems at Sevilla, Southampton would be able to get the exciting young player for a cut price, so it may be worth the Saints enquiring about the availability of the 23-year-old.