It was announced on the eve of transfer deadline day that Southampton star Carlos Alcaraz had joined Serie A giants Juventus on loan until the end of the season with an option-to-buy clause inserted into his contract.
The Athletic reported early on Thursday morning that the two clubs agreed a fee of £40 million for the Argentine, provided the midfielder makes a good impression during his six-month stint in Turin.
However, while the transfer may have been finalised, another twist has been added to the saga. According to Italian outlet Tuttosport, the Bianconeri are not willing to pay the hefty price tag at the end of the campaign but have a solution in mind.
Two weeks ago, La Stampa revealed that Southampton are interested in signing Juventus winger Matias Soule, who has been setting Serie A alight on loan at Frosinone this term. This was backed up by Calciomercato. Furthermore, Gazzetta dello Sport claimed that the Saints face stiff competition from Premier League outfits Crystal Palace and Newcastle United.
Nevertheless, Tuttosport, via Football Italia, are reporting that Southampton could come out on top for the winger’s signature as the club are willing to let Soule move to the St. Mary’s Stadium to offset a large portion of Alcaraz’s option-to-buy clause.
In addition, Juventus currently value the loanee between £25-30 million which is roughly three-quarters of Alcaraz’s full fee should the two clubs agree on a transfer for Soule, but a deal won’t be completed until the end of the campaign.
The 20-year-old has been flying on loan with Frosinone in Italy’s top-flight, scoring nine goals and recording one assist in just 23 appearances in all competitions.
Writer’s View
Juventus have repeatedly found themselves with lingering financial troubles in recent seasons due to reckless spending and issues within the hierarchy so it’s not surprising that the European giants are trying to manoeuvre a deal with Southampton to avoid paying a hefty sum at the end of the season.
However, this could be a transfer that works out well for Southampton. The Saints will still receive money from Alcaraz’s sale but will be getting a player through the door who arguably has a higher ceiling, albeit in a different position.
Deputy Head of Writing
