Joe Rothwell, on loan at AFC Bournemouth, expressed his strong willingness to consider a permanent move to Southampton if his tenure with Bournemouth concludes.
The 29-year-old made the switch from Premier League side Bournemouth to Southampton in January in search of more playing opportunities.
Since joining Russell Martin’s squad, Rothwell has logged 267 minutes in the Championship, slightly below the 381 minutes he played in the Premier League.
Primarily serving as Stuart Armstrong’s backup, Rothwell made significant contributions with crucial goals against Huddersfield and Sunderland.
When asked about his interest in staying next season, Rothwell remained respectful to his parent club while expressing a desire to continue with Southampton.
In response to the Daily Echo, he said, “Why not? I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here. If my tenure at Bournemouth has concluded, I am highly inclined to consider joining Saints.
However, my current focus is solely on finishing the season as strongly as possible and aiming for automatic promotion to the Premier League.”
Southampton’s recent victory over Sunderland marked their final Championship fixture until Friday, March 29, when they host Middlesbrough.
Rothwell highlighted the importance of the upcoming international break, emphasizing the opportunity for the team to engage in proper training sessions after a hectic schedule of games without much time for practice.
With several players, including David Brooks and Jan Bednarek, receiving international call-ups, Rothwell believes the break will offer a chance for both rest and preparation.
Looking ahead, Rothwell sees potential benefits in players temporarily shifting their focus away from club duties to international commitments, citing conversations with Brooks about the positive impact of national team involvement.
As Poland and Wales navigate through the European Championship qualifying playoffs, Rothwell anticipates an exciting prospect of Brooks and Bednarek potentially facing off in a crucial match, providing added motivation for their return to Southampton with renewed vigor for the final stretch of the season.