Rangers centre-back John Souttar is reported to be close to a move to Greek side Aris Thessaloniki, according to coverage in the UK press. The reports say the 29-year-old has been informed he is not in the long-term plans at Ibrox and that talks over an exit are advancing.
- Multiple Scottish media outlets report John Souttar is close to leaving Rangers for Aris Thessaloniki.
- Tabloid coverage includes claims of a medical and agreed terms, but those specifics are not independently confirmed in the supplied evidence.
- Other English and Welsh clubs were previously linked to Souttar in transfer speculation earlier in the summer.
- An official announcement or registration is required to confirm the move; Greek window timing could allow the deal to complete after the Scottish window closed.
What the reports say
The BBC‘s gossip column summarised items from Scottish outlets reporting that Souttar is near a transfer to Aris Thessaloniki and described him as a “frozen out” defender at Rangers. The coverage links the potential move specifically to Aris and places it in the context of the summer window.
Other UK outlets have carried similar accounts. The Scottish Sun reported Souttar was travelling to Greece for a medical and described an agreement on personal terms in advance of any final paperwork. The Sun piece also said Rangers manager Derek McInnes had told the player his long-term future would be best served elsewhere, and noted Souttar still had one year left on his Rangers contract.
What is confirmed and what remains unverified
- Confirmed by sources in the packet: multiple UK media reports state John Souttar has been told he is not in Rangers’ long-term plans and is linked with Aris Thessaloniki. (Sources: BBC gossip summary; Scottish Sun; Herald)
- Reported but not independently confirmed in the packet: that Souttar has undergone or will undergo a medical in Greece, that a three-year deal is agreed, or any transfer fee or contract length. These details appear in tabloid reporting and are not corroborated by an official club statement within the supplied evidence.
- Other clubs previously linked: outlets in the packet mention interest from Leicester, Swansea, Cardiff, Watford and Sheffield United at various stages, but those reports are presented as earlier transfer speculation rather than completed offers.
Why this move would matter
If Souttar leaves Rangers, it would be another notable squad change for the club early in Derek McInnes’s tenure, following reported centre-back recruitment during the summer. Media in Scotland have framed Souttar’s potential exit as part of Rangers’ reshaping of the squad, and the defender’s availability has attracted attention from clubs across the UK and beyond.
Transfer-window timing and next steps
Greek and Scottish transfer-window deadlines differ; the reporting notes that a move to Greece would still be possible even after the Scottish window closed, because the Greek window remains open later in September. That timing is why several outlets presented a move to Aris as feasible despite domestic deadlines.
At this stage the situation requires confirmation from one or more official sources. The next verifiable steps that would make the move official are:
- An announcement by Rangers, Aris Thessaloniki, or Souttar’s representatives confirming terms and completion;
- Registration of the transfer with the relevant football authorities and publication of contract details by the clubs involved;
- If applicable, confirmation that Souttar has passed any medical required by the buying club.
Brief timeline assembled from the coverage
- Earlier summer: multiple UK outlets linked Souttar with interest from clubs in England and Wales, including Leicester and Swansea (reported as transfer speculation).
- Late July–early September: Scottish press coverage escalated, reporting Souttar had been told he was not in Rangers’ long-term plans and that clubs were in talks to sign him.
- 11 September 2026: BBC gossip column and several Scottish papers reported Souttar was close to joining Aris Thessaloniki; subsequent tabloid pieces claimed a medical and a personal-agreement were imminent but these claims are not independently confirmed in the supplied evidence.
What supporters and clubs should watch for
Fans and journalists should look for official confirmation from Rangers or Aris, registration notices from the Greek federation or league, and direct statements from the player’s camp. Until one of those appears, the available information remains media reporting rather than a completed transfer.
How G3.Football will follow this story
We will update this article when an official club statement, federation registration or direct confirmation from John Souttar’s representatives is published. For now, the strongest supported facts in the evidence packet are that multiple Scottish media outlets report Souttar is likely to leave Rangers and that Aris Thessaloniki is the club most frequently named as his next destination.
“Frozen out Rangers defender set for move to Greece” — BBC summary of Scottish media reporting (11 September 2026)