Despite hardly setting foot on the pitch, it’s reported Juventus want to extend their Carlos Alcaraz loan with Southampton for next season.
The creative midfielder arrived in January on loan for six months at a cost of €3.9m with an option to buy at the end of the season for a further €49.5m.
That is a huge figure for a relatively unknown player and director of sport Cristiano Giuntoli confessed he was a last-minute deal.
We needed to bring in a lad who would not disturb the squad that we were very happy with, so a young player with good prospects,” Giuntoli told Sky Sport Italia.
“The opportunity arrived 48 hours before the deadline and we did not have time to negotiate the release clause.
“We have great respect for his club and at the right moment will sit down to discuss the options.”
It would seem that moment is coming up, as Juventus want to make it abundantly clear they are not going to pay the nearly €50m, but would like to extend the loan for a full season.
This could be accepted by Southampton, especially if they fail to earn promotion back into the Premier League.
La Gazzetta dello Sport had already suggested this plan was in the works, but Calciomercato.com updated the situation with negotiations to agree a far lower buy-out clause.
Alcaraz made only four Serie A appearances in the Juventus jersey, contributing one assist, and is currently out of action with a thigh injury.
O chance, pay up or give him back.