Very late on during the January transfer window, it became pretty obvious that English Championship side Southampton had taken the decision to loan out talented Argentine winger, Carlos Alcaraz, following their relegation from the Premier League last season, and he is now set to spend the second half of the 2023/24 campaign out with Italian Serie A side Juventus.
Club gaffer, Russell Martin, said that the deal ultimately ‘suits everyone’ but plenty in the wider world of football will wonder why they have let the 21 year old leave right now, as although he could not help them avoid relegation, they are currently sat in second place in the second tier table and have to be considered as having a great shot of promotion, and returning at the first time of asking. The truth is, he has not had a great year so far.
Having joined them in the January 2023 transfer window from Racing Club, he scored four times in 18 Premier League games as he adjusted to the English game, and so far this season he has chipped in with three goals in 23 games. However, Alcaraz (known as Charly) has only completed 90 minutes on three occasions during the season, with the vast majority of his appearances coming as a substitute. Since Southampton ticked into January, his game time has become even more limited.
Martin explained to BBC Radio Solent.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for him to go and play for a huge club with huge history. He’s a player who’s probably been a bit frustrated with the minutes he’s played recently. We signed Joe Rothwell early and have Joe Aribo coming back. We were really aware of interest in Charly from a few clubs in January. If he had stayed, no problem, but he’s ended up going. I think it suits everyone, I think Charly wants to play more and he has the chance to go and make an impression at a huge football club.”
Director of football, Jason Wilcox added.
“Juventus are a huge club and we are convinced that this move will allow Charly the opportunity to flourish and then come back and be a success at Southampton.”
Those reading between the lines will simply feel that Alcaraz’s face no longer fits what their management want, or that the club are desperate to cash in, because having joined Southampton for a reported £12 million originally, it is claimed that the Old Lady have an optional buy clause for around £40 million in the summer.
