Turkish side Göztepe has identified Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo as a key summer transfer target, according to a report by UK-based website TransferFeed. The 28-year-old, who was born in London but represents Nigeria internationally, has a year remaining on his contract with the Saints but is reportedly reluctant to continue playing in the English Championship.
Aribo is said to be “open to the prospect of relocating to Göztepe,” a move that would see him reunite with familiar figures from his current club’s ownership structure. Göztepe’s Danish president, Rasmus Ankersen, who also plays a leading role at Sports Republic, the group that owns Southampton, has been instrumental in creating pathways between the two clubs.
Ankersen “plans to use his majority ownership in both Göztepe and Sports Republic to ease the transfer of players from Southampton,” leveraging the synergy between the two outfits to make strategic additions to Göztepe’s squad. Aribo joined Southampton from Rangers in 2022 and has endured a mixed spell in England’s top flight before the club’s relegation.
With limited minutes in the Championship and uncertainty around his future, the midfielder is said to be considering Göztepe’s proposal seriously. The Turkish side, for their part, are “eagerly waiting for his positive response,” TransferFeed adds.
Should the transfer go through, Aribo would be one of the more high-profile additions to Göztepe’s squad ahead of their return to top-flight football. His technical ability, experience in European competitions, and international pedigree with the Super Eagles could make him a valuable asset in Turkey.
Göztepe’s interest in Aribo is part of a broader strategy to attract notable talent from England, with fellow Southampton and Nigerian international Paul Onuachu also being monitored as potential recruits. The potential move would mark a new chapter in Aribo’s career, and it remains to be seen whether he will make the switch to Turkish football.