Juventus Reportedly Seeking Extension of Carlos Alcaraz’s Loan with Southampton Despite Limited Playing Time
Despite his minimal time on the field, reports indicate that Juventus is interested in extending Carlos Alcaraz’s loan spell with Southampton for the upcoming season.
The talented midfielder joined Southampton in January on a six-month loan deal worth €3.9 million, with an option to purchase him for an additional €49.5 million at the end of the season.
This substantial sum for a relatively unknown player underscores the unexpected nature of the deal, as acknowledged by Juventus’ director of sport, Cristiano Giuntoli, who described it as a last-minute arrangement.
Giuntoli explained to Sky Sport Italia, “We needed to bring in a player who wouldn’t disrupt the harmony of the squad, which we were very pleased with, so we opted for a young player with promising potential.”
He further revealed, “The opportunity arose just 48 hours before the transfer deadline, leaving us with insufficient time to negotiate the release clause. We hold great respect for his parent club and intend to discuss our options at an appropriate time.”
It appears that this moment is fast approaching, as Juventus aims to clarify that they are unwilling to meet the nearly €50 million price tag but are interested in prolonging the loan for an entire season.
Southampton may be inclined to agree, particularly if they fail to secure promotion back to the Premier League.
While initial reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport hinted at this possibility, Calciomercato.com has provided an update on negotiations, indicating a potential reduction in the buy-out clause.
Alcaraz has featured in just four Serie A matches for Juventus, registering one assist, and is presently sidelined with a thigh injury.