Former Nigeria U23 international Tom Dele-Bashiru is on the verge of completing a permanent move to Greek Super League side Aris after the club reached a full agreement with Watford for his transfer, Footynaija.com reports.
According to Gazzetta Greece, the 27-year-old midfielder is expected to arrive in Thessaloniki on Sunday before undergoing routine medical and fitness tests on Monday, after which Aris will officially unveil him as their newest signing having agreed to pay Watford a fee of £425,000 for the Nigerian.
The deal has been in the works for some time, with Aris already agreeing personal terms with Dele-Bashiru and reaching an understanding with Watford. The remaining formalities have now been settled, leaving only the midfielder’s medical before he signs a three-year contract with the three-time Greek champions.
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Provided everything goes as expected, Dele-Bashiru will immediately join Aris’ travelling squad for the main phase of the club’s pre-season preparations in Italy, giving him the opportunity to integrate quickly ahead of the new campaign.
A product of Manchester City’s academy, Dele-Bashiru made a solitary senior appearance for the Premier League side before joining Watford, where he went on to feature 81 times in all competitions.
His progress was disrupted by serious knee and ankle injuries, but the Nigerian enjoyed an encouraging campaign on loan at Turkish club Genclerbirligi last season, making 30 appearances across all competitions.
Although his current contract at Vicarage Road doesn’t expire until 2027, Watford have now sanctioned his departure, with Aris betting that the former FIFA U20 World Cup star can rediscover the consistency that once made him one of Nigeria’s most highly rated young midfielders.
