Aris Thessaloniki to Renew Interest in Rangers’ John Souttar in January Transfer Window
Aris Thessaloniki plans to revive their interest in John Souttar when the transfer window reopens on January 2, as reported by the Glasgow Times. The Greek Super League team, currently in fifth place, still desires the services of the Rangers centre-back after a previous deal fell through just before the transfer window closed in September.
Souttar, 30, had reportedly reached a three-year agreement with Aris, with Rangers accepting a transfer fee of approximately £1 million. However, complications arose over his exit settlement, as he sought coverage for the final year of his contract at Ibrox, while Rangers were said to have offered less. An Aris representative attributed the failed deal to “financial issues with Rangers,” but sources in Greece indicate that the club remains interested despite the delay.
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John Souttar’s Current Situation at Ibrox
The defender from Aberdeen has made 132 appearances for Rangers since transferring from Hearts in January 2022. Known for being left-footed and composed on the ball, Souttar has faced numerous injury challenges throughout his career, including three ruptured Achilles tendons, which have affected how much trust he garners on the field over an entire season.
Currently, he ranks fifth in manager Derek McInnes’s selection, positioned behind Emmanuel Fernandez and recent signings Ben Godfrey, Ross McCrorie, and Olwethu Makhanya. Additionally, he was omitted from Sebastien Pocognoli’s first Scotland squad.
While McInnes has stated that Rangers will honor Souttar’s contract if no transfer materializes, the reality is that with the team trailing Celtic by four points (despite having a game in hand) and maintaining an unbeaten streak over the last 12 matches, there is little space for a defender who is not part of the primary rotation.
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Is Selling John Souttar a Good Move for Rangers in January?
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 31: John Souttar of Rangers celebrates scoring his team’s goal with teammate James Tavernier, which is later disallowed during the Premier League match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on August 31, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Experts suggest a sale could be beneficial, provided it undercuts any chance of Rangers overpaying. With Souttar’s contract expiring next summer, Aris holds a more advantageous position to simply wait six months for him to join as a free agent. This scenario would likely eliminate any prospect of the team garnering a significant fee, which could encourage Rangers to consider reaching a settlement now rather than enduring a repeat of the stalemate experienced in September.
There is a case for retaining him as cover for injuries, essential given his past track record. Nevertheless, having a fifth-choice centre-back who is out of the national squad and eager to leave may not be the best solution for a team pursuing a title and wanting to maintain a harmonious dressing room. With four defenders ahead of him in the lineup, Rangers might find it wise to clear his wages, which would facilitate a more streamlined squad for the latter half of the season. By releasing him, the funds saved could be redirected towards acquiring depth that McInnes intends to utilize.
