Southampton gears up for pivotal summer negotiations.

Reports from Italy suggest that Southampton is poised to discuss the potential extension of Carlos Alcaraz’s loan spell with Juventus in the coming days.

According to reports from Italy, Southampton is gearing up to discuss extending Carlos Alcaraz’s loan with Juventus soon. However, one pressing issue for the club is the potential reduction in parachute payments if they remain in the Championship next season. This could lead to the necessity of offloading key players over the summer.

One such player set to depart from St. Mary’s Stadium is Che Adams, with his contract expiring at the end of the campaign. Head coach Russell Martin also acknowledged the possibility of Kyle Walker-Peters leaving if the club fails to secure promotion back to the Premier League.

The manager expressed, “Securing promotion would significantly increase our chances of retaining him. However, if we fail to do so, it’s unlikely we’ll be able to keep Kyle. Financially, it wouldn’t make sense for the club, and it aligns with Kyle’s own aspirations.”

Another player who might not come back for the 2024/25 season is Alcaraz. As per a report from Il Bianconero, cited by Sport Witness, Southampton will hold talks with Juventus in the upcoming weeks, as the Italian club aims to prolong the midfielder’s loan for the following season.

At the conclusion of the winter transfer window, the Argentine made the move to Turin on a six-month loan, with Juventus holding the option to purchase him for £40 million. However, the club is currently not inclined to secure the 22-year-old’s permanent transfer, as extensively reported in Italy.

Writer’s Perspective

The decision regarding Alcaraz’s return to Juventus on loan could hinge on Southampton’s Premier League status this month. If they remain in the Championship, it’s challenging to see the financial benefits of another loan deal. With potential reductions in parachute payments, selling Alcaraz for a significant sum could greatly aid the club’s finances, particularly as they manage a substantial wage bill comprised of former Premier League players.