According to media reports in Italy Manolo Gabbiadini's agent has flown into England for a "confrontation" with Saints.
Manolo Gabbiadini's agent Silvio Pagliari, is said to have flown into England today, report Italian media outlet Calciomercato, for a ‘confrontation’ with Southampton, this is probably a little bit of artistic licence on the part of the Italian media and there are not many Saints supporters who would be surprised if the striker was still a Saints player by the end of January.
After blistering start to his Saints career two years ago he has struggled to hold down a place in the starting line up although perhaps his knack for a vital goal or two as was shown in the victory at Swansea last season along with two at Wembley in the League Cup final will always make him a popular figure with Saints supporters.
But overall his contribution to the cause has not been what we would have hoped for, 10 Premier League goals in 25 starts plus 26 off the bench is solid but not spectacular, but when you consider that 4 of those came in his first three games for the club along with his brace in the League Cup final, then 6 goals in the following 21 (26) Premier games is poor.
His knack of scoring goals that count has meant that he has not been given the stick that Shane Long has received from some quarters, but the brutal truth is Long has also scored vital goals plus his all round play is a lot better in making opportunities for others.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has picked him only once in his first game in charge and then only for a 15 minute sub appearance and now Gabbiadini appears to be fifth choice behind Ings, Austin, Long & Obafemi.
Gabbiadini has been linked with moves before, both last January and in the summer, but in fairness to him he stayed and has never given less than 100% for the club, it could also be said that for most of his time here he has been playing in a formation not suited to his style, he thrives on balls down the channels and half chances in the box and those have been few and far between for the last 18 months.
Now he seems to be vying with Steven Davis to be first out in January, Ralph Hasenhuttl will have transfer funds at his disposal, but he will know that they will not be enough to sign the quality he needs and they need topping up, selling Gabbiadini would raise perhaps £10 million and that along with a few fringe players and perhaps one or two out on loan sold would give him a budget with which he can make a difference.
It will be sad to see Gabbiadini leave, at first he looked like he would be a sensation, but looking back at the stats, his career will ultimately be defined by his first four games for the club including that Wembley game and the goal at Swansea last season and that really isn't good enough in the grand scheme of things whatever the reasons why.