Southampton news: Why the Saints should sign Joe Aribo

According to reports in the Express, Southampton are favourites to sign Charlton Athletic’s dynamic midfielder, Joe Aribo.

Aribo, 23, is out of contract this summer and won’t be extending his contract. He joined the South-East London side from non-league club Staines Town, four years ago

The youngster had a fantastic season in League one, scoring 10 goals to cap off a breakthrough season. He is tall, athletic and has an eye for a goal.

Charlton have over the years developed some great young players. Aribo is the latest of the youngsters to impress and he seems to want to move on to better things.

The jump from League one, directly to the Premier League, will be a drastic shift in intensity and quality and there aren’t many managers in the Premier League who would do better at helping the 23-year-old settle down than current Southampton manager Ralph Hassenhuttl.

Southampton have suffered for a few seasons. Mauricio Pellegrino had a torrid time at the St. Mary’s. Southampton looked destined for relegation in the 2017/18 season but Mark Hughes gave them a new manager bounce which was just enough to keep them up.

Hughes then turned villain when he similarly suffered a setback until it was Hassenhutl’s turn to keep the Saints up. The Austrian did a fantastic job, quickly getting the team to adapt to his high-pressing style of play.

Hassenhutl was synonymous with the high-pressing style during his stint in Germany, especially with RB Leipzig. Aribo fits the profile that will sit well within the Austrian’s system.

His dynamism and athleticism will feel at home in a system that requires a lot of work-rate. His eye for goal will be of use.

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Conclusion

This is a move that Aribo has to make. Aribo could join the likes of other players who have improved under the Austrian like James Ward-Prowse, Jan Valery and Nathan Redmond.

Southampton will also be going back to the times where they were synonymous with finding hidden talent. Therefore, the Saints should get this deal over the line.