Everton were beaten to the punch by Southampton in January when Napoli made Manolo Gabbiadini available.
With just nine goals in 12 games, only two sides in the Premier League have scored fewer times this season than Southampton. For your information, the profligate duo are Crystal Palace and Swansea City – the bottom two clubs in England’s top flight.
It goes without saying then that reports in The Mail that Southampton could sell their entire existing strikeforce in January can be considered a little bold.
The report claims that owner Jisheng Gao is set to make his most eye-catching move since taking over in August by making Manolo Gabbiadini, Charlie Austin and Shane Long available in January.
Though while Gabbiadini in particular has failed to live up to expectations this season, netting three in 12 games and one from open play since August, there would surely be no shortage of suitors willing to hand him an escape route from the South Coast.
After all, Everton were linked back in January before Gabbiadini swapped Napoli for The Saints, per the Liverpool Echo – and they are still on the lookout for a striker to score fill the void left by Romelu Lukaku in attack.
Gabbiadini made a remarkable impact after signing for Southampton after all and it was only an ill-timed injury that saw his prolific start to life in England being brought to a halt. Though playing in a wider role at Napoli, the Italy international thrived in a centre-forward position and scored six goals in his first four games, including a clinical brace in Southampton’s 3-2 EFL Cup defeat to Manchester United in February.
And, like Lukaku, Gabbiadini possesses that blend of skill and strength. So Everton should at least give some thought to signing the 25-year-old 12 months after their initial interest – even if his form in recent months brings the phrase ‘flash in the pan’ to mind.
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