Southampton remain in the Championship’s incredible automatic promotion race heading into the business end of the season.
The South Coasters reside in fourth nine points adrift of Leeds United at the summit with two games in hand.
Behind the scenes, discussions will already be underway regarding the summer transfer window and potential incomings.
Indeed, a lot will depend on what division Southampton end up in as that will dictate their budget.
Southampton F.C. News exclusively sat down with HITC journalist Graeme Bailey and discussed the club’s reported interest in Matias Soule.
Southampton’s pursuit of Matias Soule may affect Carlos Alcaraz
News emerged last week of Saints’ interest in Juventus winger Soule, who is currently enjoying a productive season-long loan at fellow Serie A outfit Frosinone.
Bailey issued an update on Southampton’s interest: “It’s an interesting one with Matias Soule, we saw that link with Southampton.
“He’s playing really really well at Frosinone. Juventus I do know are trying to look at him coming back, they won’t make a decision on him until the summer.
“Him going back might impact on Alcaraz (Southampton future).”
Interestingly, it looks like a domino effect could occur if the South Coaters are to move for the highly-rated Soule.
Southampton target Matias Soule will be in high demand
A look at Soule’s statistics and it’s easy to see why Juventus value him at £34m.
The 20-year-old wide player, who has been capped at youth level by Argentina, has netted 10 times in the league this term whilst laying on two assists.
Soule is in the top nine per cent of players across Europe for successful take-on and in the top 15 per cent for shot-creating actions, as per FBREF.
Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad saw their £21m bid for the left-footed playmaker rejected in January, so it’s clear Juve have plans to keep a hold of their starlet unless a sizable offer arrives.
Evidently, for Southampton to stand any chance of landing Soule they’ll need to secure promotion to the top-flight, as he’ll be targetted by a number of leading clubs on the continent and beyond.
Perhaps the South Coast outfit could look at proposing a swap deal with Alcaraz included, as he doesn’t appear to have convinced Russell Martin.
Saints were happy to include a £40m buy option in his Juventus contract, which indicates they’d be willing to sanction a permanent move for the right fee.