With the January transfer window opening, Southampton will be one of a countless number of clubs assessing what they can do to improve their squad ahead of the second half of the season.
Russell Martin has the club in a strong position, 17 unbeaten and just three points off the automatic promotion places, but anything can happen in January and he will be keen to add more quality to his squad if the opportunity arises.
Che Adams is linked with a January move away, with the striker’s contract expiring in the summer and no indication that he intends to renew his terms. Joe Aribo will be representing Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations, whilst Mason Holgate looks set to return to parent club Everton having barely featured since joining on loan in the summer.
With marquee summer signing Ross Stewart now expected to be out until the end of the season, combined with Adams’ likely departure, Southampton suddenly look a little light in attacking areas. Therefore, Martin and the Southampton hierarchy will be looking to identify whether there are any opportunities to strengthen at the top end of the pitch.
Could Liverpool’s Fabio Carvalho join Southampton in January?
One player who would certainly represent an attractive option is Liverpool’s Fabio Carvalho.
The 21-year-old signed for Liverpool from Fulham in the summer of 2022 and played 21 times for Jurgen Klopp’s side last season, scoring three times. This season, Liverpool decided it would be best for Carvalho to go out on loan to get more game time and so he joined German side RB Leipzig for the season.
This loan did not have the desired effect, with Carvalho starting just once in the Bundesliga for his temporary side and failing to register a single goal or assist in all competitions. This led to the man capped by both England and Portugal at youth level being recalled by Liverpool ahead of the January transfer window with the idea being to send the youngster on a more fruitful loan in the second half of the season.
With that news, several clubs have understandably been put on red alert given Carvalho’s ability. Southampton are said to be one such side, as confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on ‘X’.
Where would Carvalho play for Southampton?
If Southampton were to take Carvalho on loan, it would be interesting to see where he played in Martin’s side.
Carvalho can play in a number of positions and Martin likes his players to be both tactically and positionally flexible; an example of this being Adam Armstrong playing on either flank, as a central striker, as well as in central midfield at times this season – each of which successfully.
Carvalho played primarily as an attacking midfielder in his time at Fulham, but can also play central midfield and on either flank. This season, Southampton have often played with midfielder Carlos Alcaraz as a false nine and it would be no surprise to see Carvalho perform a similar role at the Saints. With Southampton short of natural wingers given Kamaldeen Sulemana‘s absence through injury, it is also useful that Carvalho has played on both the left and right wing this season for Leipzig.
The 2021/22 season was Carvalho’s first full season as a professional and also the last time he played at Championship level. Just 19 at the time, Carvalho scored 11 goals and provided eight assists across 38 games in all competitions.
There is no doubt that Carvalho would add real star quality to a Southampton side that is already performing at a very high level this season. If the club can convince Liverpool to send them Carvalho on loan, he could just be the difference between promotion and another season in the Championship.