Southampton interim coach Tonda Eckert is not ruling out player exits during the January transfer window, with Nigeria midfielder Joe Aribo reportedly attracting interest from his former club Rangers, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 29-year-old featured in 32 of the Saints’ 38 Premier League matches last season, scoring three goals. However, relegation to the Championship and a change in the technical crew have limited the London-born midfielder’s involvement this term.

Aribo has made just seven Championship appearances this season, none of them as a starter.

The former Charlton Athletic midfielder was linked with a return to Rangers during the summer transfer window, but no formal approach was made by the Scottish club at the time.

Aribo spent three seasons with Rangers, scoring 18 goals and providing 11 assists in 92 league appearances before joining Southampton in 2022.

Speaking to The Daily Echo ahead of Southampton’s clash with Sheffield United, Eckert was asked about Aribo’s absence from recent matchday squads amid ongoing transfer speculation.

“In general, I was very happy with the players we had available for matchdays, and that’s where the situation is at the moment.

“The transfer window is open for another two weeks. Then we’ll see what happens and, in general, I think the squad needs to become a bit lighter,” the 32-year-old said, in quotes relayed by the Daily Record.

With Aribo’s contract at Southampton set to expire in the summer, reports suggest the club would accept a fee in the region of £1.5m for his services.

In Scotland, it is understood that Rangers are prioritising the signing of a new midfielder and a forward before the transfer window closes, a situation that could open the door for Aribo’s return.

The midfielder remains a fan favourite at Ibrox, having written his name into Rangers’ recent history by scoring in their Europa League final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022.