No longer interested, the club has walked away from the potential signing of the Southampton player.

Spanish club Cádiz CF have reportedly decided against pursuing a move for Southampton left-back Juan Larios this summer, despite recent speculation linking the defender with a return to Spain.

According to reports from Portal Cadista, citing information from El Pelotazo on Canal Sur Radio, Cádiz have removed the 22-year-old from their list of transfer targets. The decision comes shortly after claims emerged suggesting that the club had identified Larios as a potential solution to strengthen their options at left-back ahead of the new season.

Cádiz are currently in the market for reinforcements in that position and had been assessing several candidates. Larios initially appeared to fit the profile they were looking for, given his impressive footballing background and experience at various levels of the game. Having progressed through the youth academies of Sevilla, Barcelona and Manchester City, he has long been regarded as a player with considerable potential. In addition, he has represented Spain at youth international level, further enhancing his reputation.

Despite those credentials, Cádiz have ultimately chosen not to advance their interest. The latest reports indicate that the club’s sporting department has shifted its focus towards alternative targets, believing there are more suitable options available for the role they need to fill.

The update effectively brings an end to any possibility of negotiations between the two clubs over the defender. While Larios’ name was discussed internally and considered as part of Cádiz’s recruitment plans, the club have now concluded that they will not pursue a deal. Sources suggest the proposal was evaluated before being rejected, with decision-makers opting to explore different avenues instead.

This development follows only a matter of days after reports first surfaced claiming Cádiz were considering a move for the Southampton player. However, the latest information makes it clear that the Spanish side have no intention of continuing discussions regarding the defender and have already moved on to other candidates.

As a result, Larios is now expected to return to Southampton, where an important decision regarding his future will need to be made during the current transfer window.

The Spaniard joined Southampton in the summer of 2022 in a deal reportedly worth around €7 million. At the time, he was viewed as a promising young talent capable of developing into a key player for the club. However, his progress has not gone according to plan.

Since arriving at St Mary’s, Larios has struggled to establish himself in the first-team setup. Injuries and competition for places have limited his opportunities, and he has made just six senior appearances for Southampton. In an effort to gain regular playing time, the club has sent him out on loan over the past two seasons.

Last season, he spent time with Cultural Leonesa, where he continued his development away from the pressures of English football. More recently, he featured for Real Zaragoza during the second half of the campaign, gaining additional experience in Spanish football. While those loan spells provided valuable minutes, they have not significantly increased his market value or strengthened his position at Southampton.

With his current contract running until the summer of 2027, Southampton technically remain in a strong position regarding his registration. However, the situation is more complicated when viewed from a financial perspective.

This summer represents arguably the final realistic opportunity for the Saints to generate a transfer fee from the player before his value potentially declines even further. If Larios remains at the club and does not secure a permanent move in the coming months, he will be eligible to begin discussions with overseas clubs about a pre-contract agreement from January next year.

Such a scenario would put Southampton at risk of losing him for a significantly reduced fee or potentially even on a free transfer at the end of his contract. Consequently, the club’s hierarchy may be keen to resolve his future sooner rather than later.

The challenge for Southampton is that Larios’ market valuation has fallen considerably since his arrival from Manchester City. Having been signed for approximately €7 million, the defender is now estimated to be worth around €1.5 million. That dramatic drop reflects his limited first-team involvement and the difficulties he has faced in establishing himself over the past few years.

Even if Southampton succeed in arranging a permanent transfer this summer, they are unlikely to recover anything close to their original investment. Nevertheless, securing some form of transfer income may still be preferable to allowing his contract situation to drift into its final years without a clear plan.

For now, Cádiz have ruled themselves out of the equation. The Spanish club have decided not to proceed with any move for Larios and will instead continue searching elsewhere for a new left-back. Their decision leaves the Southampton defender facing an uncertain summer as he awaits clarity over the next stage of his career.

Whether that future lies back at Southampton, elsewhere in England, or with another club in Spain remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Cádiz will not be the destination for Juan Larios as things currently stand.