Southampton will face competition from Arsenal to sign Charlton midfielder Joe Aribo in the summer, according to reports.
The 22-year midfielder is out of contract with the Addicks in the summer, and although Premier League clubs are rumoured to be circling, the club haven’t yet given up hope of convincing him to commit his future to the Valley.
According to Football.London, Arsenal are interested in snapping up Aribo once he becomes a free agent this summer, with the Gunners viewing him as a long-term option. Aribo has been likened by some to current and soon to be former Arsenal man Aaron Ramsey.
As well as the Gunners, Tottenham have been linked with a move with Aribo in the past, while Football.London claim that Southampton also hold significant interest.
Aribo would be the latest in a fairly recent line of promising starlets to swap Charlton for the Premier League.
Speaking about the chances of Charlton convincing Aribo to re-sign a contract, manager Lee Bowyer said this in December:
Joe knows we want him to sign, I believe Joe wants to sign, he will sign, and Joe knows he’s learning.
He ain’t gonna go anywhere else – in this division or even in the Championship – and learn more and play games. He needs to play, like last season he wasn’t even playing!
