Got to look at it as good business if that loan fee is correct. He probably wouldn't have played much in the 2nd half of the season anyway.
If Coventry want 5m for a player whose only ever played in the championship, appears to have had some injury problems based on his appearance record and has 6 months on his contract then they will get nothing for him instead I’m not sure losing a large sum of money for a club like Coventry is worth it to gamble on a play off place (we’re not talking about promotion here but a chance to get it after three more games). But I don’t know their finances. Apparently they are bad despite selling gyokores. Our business on bringing in loans seems largely to be related to not spending big on players who, should we get promoted, can’t cut it in the premier league. Not sure if O’Hare fits this or not. Having said that I’m not sure Shea Charles and Ross Stewart do either
Yeah the Swansea game was screaming alarm bells. Would much rather keep but it’s obvious RM doesn’t “trust” & Charley finds it difficult to play this style. If he goes, hope he’s back in the PL next season & with us.
Don't think Cov will sell unless it was just stupid money that we wouldn't pay. It makes sense tbh, if he helps them stay in the play off spots it would be worth more than £6m or £7m for a shot at the PL.
Update from The Athletic seven minutes ago: Juventus are nearing an agreement to sign Carlos Alcaraz from Southampton on loan until the end of the season. Discussions include an option to buy, with talks continuing on Wednesday around the price, which is understood to be worth around £40million. Alcaraz is currently awaiting the green light for a deal to be agreed and undergo the first part of his medical in London. Alcaraz opted to stay at Southampton in the summer despite interest from Benfica and clubs in South America and signed an improved five year contract at Southampton in October. He remains highly-rated across Europe, with Juventus now stepping up their interest. The midfielder joined Southampton from Racing Club in January 2023 for a fee worth around £12million and impressed, but finds himself currently out of boss Russell Martin’s plans. The coaching staff had, however, worked on Alcaraz’s adaptation to their style, playing him as a false 9 at times this season due to his natural style not fitting Martin’s possession-based philosophy. The 21-year-old subsequently received his first call-up to the Argentina side in October. Alcaraz has made 23 league appearances for Southampton in the Championship this season, scoring three goals.
TBF he was happy to stay at Saints this season. But I guess a second season in the Championship doesn't appeal to him and that's fair enough.
Besides he must be getting nowhere near the game time he expected due to playing style rather than performance so he probably sees another season here as being potentially detrimental for his career. No issue with RM here, sometimes a move might be mutually beneficial.
Still makes me sad, though interesting to see how he fares in the team second in Serie A. I hope he does brilliantly.
Yeah, it's fair enough. Just the phrasing of 'he'd be happy to waltz back in for a PL season once everyone else has done the hard work' that made me chuckle.
Just have to trust Jason and Russ on this one and to be fair they haven't got much wrong so far. I hope that he comes back a better player with a bigger reputation next season but if he doesn't the club will have a fair wedge with which to replace him. It's a win-win for me.
Glad we get some cash up front as I find it hard to believe they'd pay the £42m. If they do end up paying that then that is an incredible deal for us.
42 million for Alcaraz makes me laugh and shake my head at the same time. Completely insane what football has become.
