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Southampton: Gabbiadini transfer away from Saints gets a step closer

By Marc Walker

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Manolo Gabbiadini of Southampton looks dejected after defeat in the penalty shoot out during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Leicester City and Southampton at The King Power Stadium on November 27, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Manolo Gabbiadini of Southampton looks dejected after defeat in the penalty shoot out during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Leicester City and Southampton at The King Power Stadium on November 27, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Manolo Gabbiadini’s expected transfer away from Southampton has moved a step closer after an official offer was lodged for the forward.

According to Sky in Italy (via Sky Sports News), Serie A side Sampdoria have offered to take the 27-year-old on loan with an obligation to buy for £10.75m in the summer.

Gabbiadini has been largely out of favour at St Mary’s this season and has had to mostly make do with impact roles from the substitutes bench in his 15 appearances so far.

Whilst it is reported that other clubs have also showed an interest in signing him during this transfer window, a move to Sampdoria would see the striker join one of his former clubs.

A £10.35m fee was paid to Juventus to take him there in 2013 and he went on to score 19 times in 50 appearances; eventually earning him a transfer to Napoli.

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SWANSEA, WALES – MAY 08: Manolo Gabbiadini of Southampton celebrates with Charlie Austin after he scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Southampton at Liberty Stadium on May 8, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
SWANSEA, WALES – MAY 08: Manolo Gabbiadini of Southampton celebrates with Charlie Austin after he scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Southampton at Liberty Stadium on May 8, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

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Gabbiadini has been with Saints since January 2017 and he made a great impact in his early days on the South Coast, with his brace in the 2016/17 EFL Cup final likely to be a lasting memory for many Saints fans.

He also scored a crucial goal in the club’s fight against relegation last season with his solitary strike securing a 1-0 win against Swansea City.

Overall, he has netted 12 goals in 60 appearances in England but his influence has dwindled somewhat recently.

Fellow striker Danny Ings arrived from Liverpool in the summer and has proved a big hit this campaign, whilst others such as Charlie Austin, Shane Long and Michael Obafemi appear to also be ahead of Gabbiadini in the pecking order.

This weekend however, Saints may only have one fit senior forward at their disposal. Ings and Obafemi have hamstring injuries, Austin has a potential FA ban upcoming and Gabbiadini will be unavailable due to ongoing transfer talks.

Long is likely to be available along with Marcus Barnes, who made his senior debut in the FA Cup last weekend.

Sam Gallagher is another option for Ralph Hassenhuttl, but is unclear whether he has recovered sufficiently from an injury of his own.

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