Rangers defender John Souttar faces several months frozen out of Derek McInnes’ matchday squad after his proposed transfer to Aris Thessaloniki stalled over a financial severance dispute.
The 29-year-old was scheduled to finalise a three-year permanent move to Greece ahead of the transfer deadline on September 15. The switch hit a major obstacle when the centre-back requested a six-figure payout to cover the remaining duration of his Ibrox deal.
Derek McInnes Faces Squad Management Dilemma
The Rangers board are currently unwilling to grant that exit package. An Aris spokesperson told the Daily Record that negotiations had faltered.
“While we had found everything, the footballer has financial issues with Rangers,” the Greek club stated. “After negotiations, they did not find an agreement in the end, so everything indicates that he will remain with the Scottish team.”
The Super League outfit have now actively lined up an alternative defensive target in case negotiations permanently fail. A collapsed deal leaves McInnes managing a high-earning, unused defender until at least the winter transfer window, creating severe consequences for the managerial team.
January Transfer Window Exit Dilemma
The situation represents a rapid shift from last week, when McInnes omitted him from domestic duties. Speaking prior to the St Mirren fixture, the manager told livescore.com that integration remained a possibility.
“But if he doesn’t move, and there isn’t anything that materialises, then of course we honour the contract, and he comes back into things,” McInnes said.
The Greek side told the Glasgow Times: “At the same time, a final effort is being made to overturn the facts.” Souttar now has hours to reach an agreement before the Super League deadline passes.
