Asserting European dominance under Giovanni Van Bronckhorst's leadership is an unfulfilled portion of Joe Aribo's past years, and that can account for the Southampton pivot midfielder's peculiar rejection.
Watching Rangers almost finish the Champions League playoff tie yesterday, Joe Aribo must have thought whether he left the Scottish side in a haste. The Southampton he was becoming a part of was ninth months ago, but more closer to relegation than a Europa League berth, if the 29-year-old envisioned that.
Now, travelling back to Ibrox doesn't have much merits left as his Championship teammate Joe Rothwell has got his responsibilities covered. But taking regular European flights? Well, Aribo may not be itching for those opportunities anymore.
As noted by Saints Extra: "Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo has been the subject of interest from Besiktas but is reluctant to move to Turkey."
Besiktas had to take tough decision which may have displeased Aribo
The Turkish outfit have been dumped out of the Europa League contention but that shouldn't be grounds for rejection as the Conference League is still a viable dream.
Instead, it's better to wonder Aribo's eagerness if one sacking from last season had been reversed. Not at St. Mary's, but at Besiktas who dismissed Netherlands legend Giovanni Van Bronckhorst from their coaching cabinet.
The now Liverpool staff was the Nigerian's gaffer when he walked down with a silver medal instead of the Europa League silverware.
Hence, standing by Van Bronckhorst's side again with European eyes on him will have been a career re-living moment for Aribo. However, Besiktas had to address their winter needs back then, so there was nothing they could do for future targets like him.
In the Reds building, the Dutchman has a superteam at hand so he will not dive into much detail about the current state of his old Rangers unit. Not when, the Saints have fallen a tier than Liverpool.