Southampton supporters in the Transfer Tavern are eagerly anticipating the remainder of the summer transfer window following the news that manager Mark Hughes has penned a long-term deal at the club.
The former Stoke City boss took over at St Mary’s back in March following the sacking of Mauricio Pellegrino, and was tasked with keeping the Saints in the Premier League following a wretched run of form. And the 54-year-old did just that by guiding the club to key victories over Bournemouth and Swansea City, eventually finishing three points clear of the bottom three in 17th place.
And the Welshman has been rewarded with a three-year deal to remain as Southampton manager, with our resident Saints supporters now turning their attentions towards the summer and what business their side may seek to conduct.
Yet one man who could be on his way out of the club this summer is Alex McCarthy amid reported interest from Liverpool, and were a possible deal to take place, the South Coast outfit simply must demand the return of £18 million-rated Reds ace Nathaniel Clyne (as per Transfermarkt).
Ultimately, 28-year-old McCarthy played as big a part as anybody in keeping the Saints in the top-flight this season, with the English goalkeeper making several important saves in the latter stages of the campaign, most notably in wins over Bournemouth and Swansea.
In fact, the former Crystal Palace shot-stopper kept England international Fraser Forster out of the side from December onwards to underline his efforts between the sticks, and as such he would undoubtedly be a huge loss were he to move to Anfield.
And given how big a loss that would be to Hughes’ side, they simply must seek to get something more than cash in return, with right back Clyne someone they should target for a return to St Mary’s.
The 27-year-old spent the best part of last season out with a back injury he sustained during pre-season, eventually appearing just three times for the Reds in the Premier League, and twice in the Champions League.
And in that time where the England international was on the sidelines, both Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold made a name for themselves in the right back slot, the latter in particular impressing en route to helping Jurgen Klopp’s side reach the Champions League final.
As such, it is arguable that Clyne is now the second-choice right back at Anfield behind compatriot Alexander-Arnold, and for someone at the age of 27, that is not a position he is going to want to be in.
And that is why Southampton must ask the question about a return for the right back, as their current first-choice Cedric Soares by no means excelled last term, but he faced little competition for that starting spot, and so certainly got away with some below-par displays.
Yet having Clyne back at the club would generate the competition needed to get the best out of both of them, and that can only be healthy for a Southampton side which will be eyeing the top half of the Premier League next term.
So while he would obviously not be a direct replacement for goalkeeper McCarthy, the Saints must demand Liverpool’s Clyne in return for any possible deal for the 28-year-old goalkeeper this summer.
Southampton fans… what do you think? Let us know!
