Southampton have agreed a loan move for Bournemouth midfielder Joe Rothwell, with the Englishman having undergone a medical.
With just 11 Premier League appearances this season, including three starts, Rothwell has played little for Bournemouth. A loan move would provide the midfielder further playing time.
In an effort to bolster his roster for the second half of the season, Russel Martin is anticipated to bring the 29-year-old in on a loan with no buyout option to the Saints.
With 55 points from 27 games, Southampton is currently in third place in the Championship. They are pursuing Leicester City and Ipswich Town in their quest for promotion to the Premier League at the earliest opportunity.
After a difficult beginning, the former Swansea City manager took over in the summer and led them to a 19-game winning streak in the second division.
Their current form has moved them to within three points of second-place Ipswich Town and the automatic promotion spots.
Rothwell battles Bournemouth for minutes.
The midfielder made 20 Premier League games last season as Bournemouth escaped relegation after joining the Cherries on a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 2022.
In the first half of the 2023–24 Premier League season, Rothwell played in 11 games, averaging barely 35 minutes, as he has plummeted down the rankings since Andoni Iraola arrived.
The Englishman trails Alex Scott, Ryan Christie, and Philip Billing in Bournemouth’s midfield due to the amount of options available to him. Tyler Adams is also anticipated to return from a long-term injury in the upcoming weeks.
Rothwell, a superb passer of the ball, played 161 games for the Lancashire club while being an important member of Blackburn’s midfield for four seasons.
Southampton’s possible home for Rothwell
Rothwell would find it convenient to relocate to Southampton, considering the Saints are situated close to his present Bournemouth base.
With three centre midfielders standing up for the promotion chasers instead of the double pivot Iraola chooses to use, Rothwell would have more opportunities to play minutes in Martin’s lineup.
Although Southampton’s midfield choices are quite good right now, they lack some experience in the middle of the pitch due to the youth of its midfielders, notably Shea Charles, who is only 20 years old.
With 152 Championship games under his belt, Rothwell would provide quality and experience to the midfield and provide Martin another option as his team gets closer to the season’s final stretch.
The former Oxford United midfielder’s contract with Bournemouth expires in June 2026, but if he decides to leave the south coast, a successful loan with Southampton might help him find a new club in the summer.
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