Juventus planning fresh Southampton transfer talks amid €49.5m agreement | OneFootball

Juventus and Southampton are set for further talks over the future of Carlos Alcaraz.

According to Il Bianconero, the Italian giants are planning fresh talks with the Saints in order to find an agreement for the Argentine.

The 21-year-old has spent the second half of the campaign on loan with the Serie A side, where he has made just seven appearances.

A hamstring injury in March hampered his progress with the club, meaning he missed up to a month of action.

He has failed to score for Juve, contributing just one assist and has started only twice in the league since joining in the winter transfer window.

Carlos Alcaraz transfer latest amid Southampton, Juventus agreement

Alcaraz signed for Juve on loan with a €49.5 million (£42.3 million) option to buy clause, which is not expected to be triggered.

However, the Turin-based outfit are interested in retaining the playmaker with the club beyond the summer anyway.

Juve want to confirm their qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League before making any concrete summer plans.

But Max Allegri’s side should be safe, with his team eight points clear of sixth place Atalanta with just five games remaining.

Juve’s sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli is planning to lead talks with the Saints in order to find a solution to the player’s future.

A loan renewal is set to be proposed, but nothing has yet been finalised as Juve are still weighing up their options.

The performances of Alcaraz are still being judged, having featured in recent games against Torino and Cagliari, coming off the bench in both draws.

Alcaraz had fallen down the pecking order at St Mary’s prior to his mid-season departure, with Russell Martin struggling to fit him into the team.

He made 23 appearances in the Championship this term, with only 13 of those coming as a start as his role as an attacking midfielder did not align with Martin's 4-3-3 system, with the South American often operating as a false nine.

Southampton’s Championship status could impact Carlos Alcaraz negotations

Southampton’s own league status will also surely play a big role in determining the future of Alcaraz.

The Saints are set to compete in the play-offs in the coming weeks, where they could face either Norwich City, West Brom or Hull City in the semi-finals.

One of Leeds United and Ipswich Town will also be competing in the post-season promotion shootout for the final place back in the Premier League.

The Saints face Leeds this weekend in their final game of the regular campaign, but Martin’s side cannot move out of their fourth place position.

The two sides meet on 4 May in a 12.30pm kick-off, in what could be a prelude to the play-off final on 26 May.

Southampton hold the cards in Carlos Alcaraz negotiation

Alcaraz has a contract with Southampton until the summer of 2028, meaning the club has no immediate need to cash in.

Both sides will need another month to know their fate for next year before any serious talks over the youngster can really begin.

But Alcaraz is an exciting young talent, and had offers from other suitors in January before deciding to move to Juventus.

If the Italian side cannot agree a permanent deal, then the Saints could leverage their strong negotiating position and look to see what other offers they can get for the player, as he doesn’t appear to be in Martin’s first team plans.