With each day that passes, we see a Saints rumor that they are either parting ways with a defender or bringing in a striker. Today, according to Football Italia (via Rai Sport), Saints are now favorites to sign Napoli’s €20m rated striker Manolo Gabbiadini.
Gabbiadini is 25 years old, and he has five goals to his name so far this term. He’s also left footed, so that may come into Claude Puel’s hands. Puel has been searching for a striker to take the place of Charlie Austin, who is a long term injury hit, for a while now.
His search has seen him turn to Jay Rodriguez, just returned himself, to play up front ahead of the unpreferred Shane Long.
It’s reported that Saints aren’t the only club interested in the Italian, as apparently West Brom and Leicester are just two of the sides to want him.
If either of these sides are to land him, it’ll probably be the Saints because they simply fit him better. Leicester are fighting relegation and have a lot of options.
West Brom just aren’t quite ready for a striker of this caliber. Saints need someone desperately, and Gabbiadini would get a fair shot at it. If a deal gets done, Southampton should be the ones getting it done.
