Rangers face financial dilemma as Souttar move to Aris stalls

Rangers' 29‑year‑old defender John Souttar faces a setback in his planned move to Greek side Aris Thessaloniki after unresolved financial issues have halted the transfer ahead of the September 15 deadline. The deal, first reported by the Daily Record and shared by Ibrox News, now requires a settlement before the club can finalise the sale.

An exclusive Daily Record report, relayed by Ibrox News, says the impasse stems from unresolved financial issues between the player and Rangers, preventing the transfer from reaching the final stage. The club and the defender have yet to agree on a settlement that would allow the move away from the club to proceed.

Financial incentive for Rangers

Rangers should sacrifice money now to complete the deal, as a modest payment could remove a larger wage burden from the books. Manager Derek McInnes has preferred other centre‑backs, leaving Souttar on zero minutes and turning his salary into a poor return on investment unless injuries force a change.

Aris Thessaloniki are making a final attempt to rescue the agreement, but time is short ahead of the Greek deadline on September 15. The Greek side remains keen to secure the experienced international defender before the window closes.

Souttar’s playing record

Rangers star John Souttar has not featured at all this season under McInnes, after being omitted from the manager’s plans. Last season he logged 24 Scottish Premiership appearances, totalling 2,014 minutes, and added five Europa League outings, establishing himself as a reliable top‑flight option.

Should the transfer fall through, McInnes has indicated the club would honour Souttar’s contract and reintegrate him into the senior first‑team group, providing a fallback if Ben Godfrey or Emmanuel Fernandez suffer setbacks.

Holding onto a player who has fallen completely out of favour can damage his market value as each unused week passes and may disrupt dressing‑room balance. Paying the difference now would clear his wages and free up space for future recruitment.

For Rangers, agreeing a modest settlement now could clear the wage bill and preserve financial flexibility; for Souttar, completing the move would restore his playing time in Greece, while a stalled deal leaves him sidelined at Ibrox.