A player who has been out of the picture at Southampton has now been spotted in training despite uncertainty surrounding his future.
Russell Martin welcomed the majority of his Southampton players back to the club’s Staplewood training base last week as they began preparations for the 2024/25 season.
There are a number of new faces amongst the Saints squad, with four new players as well as the return of last season’s loanee Taylor Harwood-Bellis; signing permanently following promotion as per the conditions of his loan.
Adam Lallana and Charlie Taylor have both joined Southampton’s ranks to add vital Premier League experience for free, whilst young centre-back duo Ronnie Edwards and Nathan Wood have signed for a combined £6 million.
Speculation is rife at this time of year and one player who was not spotted in Southampton training last week has now been sighted amid an uncertain future.
- READ MORE: Every Southampton academy star spotted in first-team training session, including ‘beautiful’ gem
Carlos Alcaraz makes Southampton return for pre-season
That player is Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old who spent the second half of last season on loan at Juventus.
It was a surprise when the Italian giants swooped to secure a deal for the Argentinian in January with an obligation to buy for £43 million given he had struggled to tie down a regular spot in England’s second tier.
Alcaraz made just three Serie A starts for Juventus and the Turin club decided against triggering their option to buy the midfielder this summer, leaving his future up in the air.
However, the player Southampton spent £12 million to sign from Racing Club in January 2023 has now been spotted at Staplewood amid the uncertainty.
Southampton reporter George Rees-Julian posted a video taken from the club’s social media which showed Alcaraz in the gym with Juan Larios and the caption ‘Charly Alcaraz is back at Stapelwood’.
What next for Southampton midfielder Alcaraz?
Having arrived from Racing Club in his homeland, Alcaraz was arguably Southampton’s best performer in the second half of the 2022/23 season in which they were relegated from the Premier League.
An exciting attacker with real flair and energy, Alcaraz struggled to adapt to Martin’s more possession-focussed style which relies on patterns of play rather than spontaneity.
However, Juventus declining to sign the Argentina under-23 international could open the door for him to be reintegrated back into the Southampton squad.
- READ MORE: Jason Wilcox may have already made Southampton stance clear over future of ‘outstanding’ £12m ace
Some of that will depend on whether the player wants to stay and another Serie A side have been credited with interest in a loan with obligation to buy this summer in the shape of Fiorentina.
It would be a shame to see Alcaraz’ time at St Mary’s come to an end so soon given the obvious ability the enigmatic creator possesses.