Joe Aribo's exit from Ibrox is set to be completed in the coming days, in an update that is likely to disappoint Rangers fans ahead of the new season.
What's the word?
After an impressive season for club and country, the Gers attacker was perhaps always likely to attract interest from south of the border, and it seems as if the race has now been won for his signature.
The Athletic's David Ornstein claimed on Twitter that:
"Southampton reach agreement with Rangers to sign Joe Aribo. £6m + add-ons + sell-on (could exceed £10m). Contract in place but not yet signed. If paperwork finalised versatile 25yo should undergo medical Fri/Sat."
Supporters will be gutted
Rangers fans will no doubt be disappointed that they are receiving just £10m for such a promising player, especially when you consider that the Saints have also just paid up to £14m to sign Romeo Lavia, a player who has made just two senior appearances in his career thus far.
However, the Nigeria international does only have one year left on his contract and the deal represents excellent business for the Ibrox outfit when you consider that he cost just £300,000 to sign in 2019.
Rangers fans may feel disappointed that Aribo is swapping Glasgow for Hampshire, given that Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side reached the Europa League final last season, whereas Southampton's last European appearance came in the 2016/17 season.
Aribo was a key part of Rangers' success last season, making a remarkable 57 appearances in all competitions, in which he contributed nine goals and ten assists, so he will undoubtedly be a big loss ahead of next season, and will need replacing at Ibrox.
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If the Gers are to progress and re-establish themselves as one of Europe's elite clubs, then they need to find a way to keep hold of promising young players such as Aribo, but for now the prospect of the Premier League is clearly turning heads, and Rangers fans will undoubtedly be disappointed to see one of their best players leave.