Southampton outcast Joe Aribo, who has featured just seven times for the Saints this season, and not at all since December, is set to join Leicester City on loan.
The 29-year-old midfielder, who joined Southampton in 2022, making 111 appearances for the club, will join the Foxes until the end of the season, reports Sky Sports.
Leicester are not currently in the position to spend heavily on transfers, so will rely on loaning in players in the final days of the window if they want to add to their squad.
Aribo is yet another player to leave Southampton this month, as Sporting Director Johannes Spors looks to trim the size of the club’s large squad.
Already, Gavin Bazunu, Ronnie Edwards, Damion Downs and Ryan Fraser have left the club, and will soon be joined by departing Sam Edozie and Cameron Archer.
With just 48 hours left in the January transfer window, this is a move that makes sense for both Southampton and Leicester.
The Nigerian will bring a wealth of experience to Leicester’s side. The former Rangers midfielder has done it on the big stage, scoring in the 2021/22 Europa League Final, and was part of the Southampton team to win promotion from the Championship at Wembley in 2023/24.
A versatile player, Aribo has played from centre back under Ivan Juric, to as a false nine at times under Ralph Hassenhuttl. But the 29-year-old has become accustomed to taking the position of the bench at St Mary’s; clearly, now is the time for both parties to part.
Leicester have a struggling squad, so the added depth that Aribo will bring will be a welcome addition.
Aribo’s Southampton contract runs out this summer, so a successful spell in Leicester could mean the Foxes could arrange for a free transfer in July.
