Southampton midfielder Carlos Alcaraz faces an uncertain future.
The 21-year-old only joined Southampton in January of last year, but was sent on loan to Italian giants Juventus in the 2024 winter transfer window.
The Argentine joined the Saints for £12.3 million from Racing Club in his homeland and was one of the few positives from a dismal campaign that culminated in a bottom place finish and relegation from the Premier League.
Alcaraz scored four Premier League goals and provided two assists in 18 games in his half-season in the English top flight but, other than a spell playing as a false nine in October and November, had struggled to find a spot in Russell Martin‘s side this season before the shock move to Juventus.
Martin would likely have been happy to keep Alcaraz around as an option, but with Stuart Armstrong ahead of him in his favoured position the loan made sense for all parties.
Juventus keen to keep Carlos Alcaraz beyond summer
HITC journalist Graeme Bailey has now exclusively told Southampton FC News that he believes there is a good chance that Italy’s most successful club sign Alcaraz permanently.
Alcaraz’ current loan deal includes an option to buy for £38 million, but the Bianconeri may look to negotiate a reduced fee should they pursue a purchase.
“I think they (Juventus) quite like him as a player, from what I’ve heard.” Bailey explained.
“I don’t think any of us were expecting him to go there and be a first team regular but he’s been involved.
“It’s a fascinating situation for him, he’s an uber talented player, obviously clearly Russell Martin’s not the biggest fan in the world, so I think there’s a fair chance he goes to Juve, (who might) try and reduce a fee even further, I wouldn’t rule it out.
“I think there’s a fair chance he does go.”
How has Alcaraz performed on loan at Juventus?
Alcaraz has missed the past two Juventus fixtures with a hamstring injury, but was handed his first start in his new colours by Massimiliano Allegri in the game prior his forced absence.
Whilst Juventus lost that game 2-1 to Napoli, Alcaraz will have been keen to build on his first 90 minutes for the Turin club so the injury will be incredibly frustrating for the young midfielder; especially given he provided the assist for Juve’s goal in that clash.
That assist was the Argentine’s only goal contribution in his 177 minutes in Italy so far, but given he may not have a future under Southampton with Martin in charge, he will be desperate to get back into the side and earn a move to such a prestigious club.
Allegri is a notoriously defensive manager and Alcaraz struggles with defensive discipline so it is somewhat surprising that the attack-minded midfielder made the move, but perhaps it highlights how highly rated he is in Europe.
To add to the admiration from Juventus’ side, Alcaraz’ agent told AS last week: “I don’t know what’s going to happen. But I think he’s going to generate the move,”.
This seems pretty damning for any Southampton fans hoping to see the Argentina under-23 international return to St Mary’s next season.