Carlos Alcaraz’s agent has confirmed that the Racing Club playmaker has ‘closed’ a deal to join Premer League strugglers Southampton in a deal worth £12 million, speaking to Radio La Red.
After the half-season from hell on the South Coast, there’s a slight whiff of positivity in the air once again. Mislav Orsic has arrived from Dinamo Zagreb – adding a genuine goal threat to Nathan Jones’ shot-shy squad – while Saturday’s comeback triumph over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup ends a three-game losing run.
The arrival of 20-year-old Alcarez should raise expectations further regarding a potential turnaround under the former Luton Town boss.
Alcaraz, one of the brightest midfield talents in South America, scored nine goals in his breakthrough season at Racing Club. And Southampton appear to have snapped him up from under the noses of Inter, AC Milan and Wolves.
Southampton will sign Carlos ‘Charly’ Alcaraz from Racing Club
“The negotiation was closed this morning,” says agent Sebastian Lopez.
Alcaraz, Lopez adds, will undergo a medical on Tuesday.
“The sale occurs at the right moment for both Carlos and Racing. There were various clubs interested from the Premier League in Carlos.
“In the middle of training (on Monday), Racing told him he was sold. He said goodbye to his teammates, packed a little suitcase and went to the airport.”
Alcaraz, who was also linked with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, could even make his Southampton debut next weekend. The Saints are preparing themselves for a relegation six-pointer away at Frank Lampard’s Everton on Saturday afternoon.
“On Saturday, he plays against Everton in the Premier League. And Carlos is excited to play that game,” Lopez adds.
Alcaraz, like Orsic, arrives boasting an impressive goals-to-game record. Keep an eye out for his darting runs into the penalty area; Alcaraz boasting an aerial prowess which belies his diminutive 5ft 9ins frame.
Racing Club, meanwhile, admit that Alcaraz will set Southampton back a fee of £12 million.
“Good luck Charly in your new stage,” they write on Twitter.
Interestingly, Jones admitted earlier in the day that Southampton were closing in on a second January signing. Now, with Alcaraz on his way, that mystery man has most certainly been unmasked.
“I feel we are close,” Jones said (Hampshire Live).
“But I can’t really say too much yet. And as I said, everything’s structured. So there’s no knee jerk on everything we do. Everything’s discussed. Everything’s been planned. We’re all in agreement of what we need in the short, medium and long term and and those things we’ll try to fulfil this window.”
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