Southampton are close to the signature of Joe Aribo after the club entered negotiations with Rangers to bring the Nigerian to St Mary’s, report the Athletic tonight.

The midfielder is said to approve the move and to be keen on moving close to London, and will sign a 4-year deal with the PL side once the fee is agreed.

Rangers will not accept less than £10M overall for the former Charlton man, and once that hurdle is overcome, Aribo should be a Southampton player before the end of the week, as Ibrox Noise told you only yesterday.

He’s been keen on the move for some time, eager to move back to England and now being the time to test himself in the Premier League, Aribo will get a big wage and long term security for himself and his family with a contract approaching half a decade.

Crystal Palace and Fulham had been the front-runners till the past 24 hours, but Southampton stole a big march last night and got in with negotiations which are now at an advanced stage.

Aribo has not travelled to Portugal and it appears now will not, as Ibrox Noise suggested to you.

This one should be done inside a manner of days.