Discussions regarding a summer transfer are ramping up, raising doubts about the Southampton player’s future with the club.
Southampton’s summer transfer activity hinges on their promotion to the Premier League, with several key players likely to depart regardless. Among them, striker Che Adams, instrumental to Russell Martin’s promotion campaign, faces an expiring contract in June, with Wolves emerging as frontrunners for his signature.
Additionally, Southampton has loaned out several players, including Charly Alcaraz, Paul Onuachu, and Duje Caleta-Car, all of whom could be offloaded in the upcoming transfer window irrespective of the club’s top-flight status. Caleta-Car, particularly, remains on the periphery at St Mary’s, spending the current season on loan at Lyon.
Duje Caleta-Car’s statistics for the season with Lyon.
Southampton secured the acquisition of Croatian international Caleta-Car from Marseille for a fee of £8 million, with Ralph Hasenhuttl expressing optimism about the quality he would bring to their defensive lineup.
However, the 27-year-old failed to meet expectations, making only 13 appearances in the Premier League and facing criticism for his inconsistent performances. Consequently, Southampton opted to loan him out in the summer, with Caleta-Car joining Lyon in Ligue 1.
During his spell at Lyon, Caleta-Car has established himself as a regular fixture in their defense, featuring in 17 league matches and demonstrating commendable defensive statistics. Notably, he has contributed to seven clean sheets while averaging 3.6 clearances and 3.2 balls recovered per game.
Lyon have the option to make his loan move permanent in the upcoming summer transfer window. However, amid speculation about his future, another European club has emerged as a potential suitor, intensifying the uncertainty surrounding Caleta-Car’s next destination.
Trabzonspor is interested in securing the signature of Duje Caleta-Car.
Trabzonspor has developed a close relationship with Southampton recently, having successfully negotiated deals for Mislav Oršić and Paul Onuachu during the summer transfer window. According to reports from outlet Haber 61, as cited by Sport Witness, the Turkish club aims to leverage this connection by ramping up efforts to secure the signing of Duje Caleta-Car from Southampton.
The report suggests that if Lyon opts against making Caleta-Car’s loan move permanent, Trabzonspor will escalate their negotiations in anticipation of a potential transfer in the summer. While it remains uncertain whether Caleta-Car would be open to a move to Turkey, it appears increasingly likely that his future lies away from St Mary’s unless there is a significant change in circumstances.