The agent of Fiorentina goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski has confirmed that a potential £10 million move to Southampton fell through because the Premier League outfit could not agree a work permit, speaking to Sportowe Fakty.
Now, Southampton’s interest in the Poland international is not exactly a secret.
Before Gavin Bazunu swapped Manchester City for the South Coast, Dragowski looked set to be unveiled as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s new number one instead. That was, of course, until red tape and regulations saw a potential £10 million agreement collapse at the eleventh hour.
“Southampton have been watching Dragowski for several years,” explains Mariusz Kulesza, the 24-year-old’s representative, via Fiorentina News.
“But, unfortunately, the transfer failed due to the lack of a work permit.”
Southampton miss out on Bartlomiej Dragowski
Kulesza points out that, because Dragowski played fewer than 30 per cent of Fiorentina’s Serie A games last season, he would not have qualified for a work permit with post-Brexit legislation making a move to St Mary’s pretty much impossible.
“Another English team also filed an appeal but unfortunately was rejected,” Kulesza adds, the mystery club in question understood to be Bournemouth.
“A move to England this summer is out of the question. However, our goal has always been towards the Premier League.”
Dragowski has reportedly been training alone at Fiorentina, the former Empoli loanee no longer part of coach Vincenzo Italiano’s plans at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. La Viola have also strengthened their goalkeeping ranks further with the arrival of Pierluigi Gollini from Serie A rivals Atalanta.
“ Espanyol? There was contact. But unfortunately, this transfer did not go through,” Kulesza explains, with his client stuck in limbo ahead of September’s deadline.
“Fiorentina expects a lot of money from Bart. If we take into account that he spent last season on the bench – and he only has one year left on his contract – that’s a lot of money.
“Celta Vigo? (That is) just gossip in the media.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
