Fabrizio Romano confirms former Southampton star joins Premier League rivals | OneFootball

As per Fabrizio Romano, ex-Southampton star Charly Alcaraz is close to a Premier League return. Interestingly, the 22-year-old Argentine has agreed to join rival side Everton.

Remember that heartbreaking 2022/23 season when Southampton got relegated after a decade of top-flight football? But if that felt agonizing, what the Saints are onto this season would be heart-wrenching.

Anyway, that's not the topic of discussion today. Here, we are onto a former Saints player's return to English football.

Having made a winter move, Charly Alcaraz had arrived amidst the Saints' 2022/23 turmoil campaign. Still, the exceptional role he played in the season remaining, would be remembered for long.

Clearly put, Alcaraz was the heartbeat for Southampton's 2022/23 season. In only 18 Premier League appearances, with 6 direct goal contributions, the midfielder shined at the St. Mary's.

But, it didn't last long. With Russell Martin's arrival, everything changed. Long story short, Charly was first loaned to Juventus, and later left for Flamengo at the end of the season.

While this seemed the end of the English football chapter for Alcaraz, destiny had planned something else.

Fabrizio Romano confirms former Southampton star joins Premier League rivals

Interestingly, the 22-year-old is returning to the Premier League, in a different setup this time. Transfer Expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed a move, saying: "Everton agree deal to sign Charly Alcaraz on loan from Flamengo with buy clause also included, all signed today."

As planned, Alcaraz is on loan initially, but he can be a permanent Everton player if specific requirements are met.

Already Alcaraz joining rivals Everton is painful but we should be braced for the worst.

Though Saints players haven't accepted relegation yet, it is becoming an approaching reality. At best, Southampton might have a chance to escape till the final matchdays.

And lo! The Saints would face Everton in the penultimate matchday's epic showdown.

Alcaraz, playing for Everton, could write a perfect revenge script for his unfair exit against Southampton. And club fans wouldn't have a response for their former hero.

Still, surviving that long would be impressive for the Saints. Let's hope Southampton takes it to the end stages first.