Southampton’s transfer policy of signing young players full of potential, rather than ones ready for the Premier League, led them into the Championship in 2022/23.
The double signing of Manchester City duo Sam Edozie and Juan Larios was a prime example.
But while one has had his fair share of opportunities with the Saints, the other has played just six times.
The £6m signing of Spanish left-back Juan Larios, who was 18 at the time of his arrival, has proven a disaster - and the latest club has pulled out of taking him off the club’s hands.
Club rules out Larios signing
Juan Larios was seen as an exciting coup by Southampton when signed in 2022. His time at the club has been plagued by injuries, and this summer the Saints will attempt to wave goodbye to the 22-year-old once and for all.
According to Spanish outlet El Pelotazo, Larios was offered to Spanish second-tier side Cádiz CF. The club considered him on their shortlist of potential left-back signings, but have now elected to rule out the transfer.
It’s an unsurprising blow - who would risk signing a player with so few fitness reassurances? Though, 2025/26 was Larios’ most complete to date, starting 19 games on loan at both Cultural Leonesa and Real Zaragoza.
As Southampton look to raise funds for players they will not need next season this summer, Larios will certainly be on his way out.
A lesson learnt
The signing of Juan Larios is a lesson learnt for Southampton - if they are ever in the same position again in the Premier League, they will have to invest in better signings for the present.
The top flight is becoming more of a closed shop each season, as Sport Republic are learning.
Mistakes are now in the past, as the club tries to move on from its latest. While the future of Tonda Eckert remains up in the air, the Saints are pushing on in the market.
With the signings of Daniel Peretz and Cyle Larin already complete, the focus will be on retaining the best players in the squad, and topping it up with any talent they can find.
Johannes Spors proved his ability to find gems from Germany in the 2025 transfer window, with the likes of Leo Scienza and Caspar Jander arriving. More of the same this summer wouldn’t go amiss.
Add us as a preferred source on Google