According to Italian media outlet Gianluca Di Marzio on Monday, out of favour Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini, who is rated at €15m (£13.3m) according to Transfermarkt, is a target for Serie A side Bologna before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month.
The Italian outfit could be on the verge of losing star attacker Simone Verdi to Napoli, and they want to bring Gabbiadini in to replace him if the 25-year-old does end up leaving.
The Saints man made such a positive start to life at St Mary’s after joining them from Napoli a year ago, but he has struggled for goals and to get into the team this season despite the south coast outfit’s struggles – they currently lie just one place and one point above the Premier League relegation zone – and he may want to leave to play more regularly.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United’s situation worsened on Wednesday when it was revealed that owner Mike Ashley had pulled out of talks to sell the club to PCP Partners, which has left a bit of a cloud over Rafa Benitez’s transfer dealings this month – the Spaniard had initially said last month he wanted all business done by January 20.
The Magpies certainly need reinforcements to boost their own survival bid and bringing Gabbiadini to St James’ Park could prove to be a shrewd move.
Here are three reasons Newcastle must consider a shock deal to sign the Italy international…
They need a striker
With Joselu, Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic scoring just eight Premier League goals between them in 23 top flight games – and with the team netting just 21 times in total it is clear to see where their problems lie.
Benitez won’t want a lack of goals to be their downfall in the second-half of the campaign as they look to avoid an instant return to the Championship, and bringing a new striker to the club may well be one of his priorities in the remainder of January – especially if Gayle or Mitrovic leave.
Goals
While Gabbiadini has struggled for goals so far this season – he has netted three times in 20 Premier League appearances for Southampton – he has hardly been helped by a lack of support and service from the players behind him.
Saints haven’t played to the Italy international’s strengths as they did when he first arrived in the Premier League this time last year, when he scored six goals in his first four outings for the south coast outfit – including a brace in the EFL Cup final defeat against Manchester United.
The 26-year-old has shown that he can find the net if he has the right players around him and is confident, and those goals could be crucial to helping keep Newcastle in the top flight if they bring him to St James’ Park.
Point to prove
Even though Southampton have been struggling to find the net, Gabbiadini has only started one of their last 12 Premier League fixtures and he will certainly have a point to prove to the south coast outfit if he does end up departing this month.
The 26-year-old will also look to ensure that he finds some form in order to keep his place in the Italy squad despite the fact that they won’t be competing at the 2018 World Cup, and to do that he needs regular minutes on the pitch and to be finding the net consistently – with Newcastle likely to be willing to give him that opportunity.
Do you agree, Magpies fans? Let us know below.